Birkhill and Muirhead residents have won their battle for a pedestrian crossing to their village hall.
Angus councillors agreed to install the crossing on the A923 at the Millennium Hall.
The decision was reached despite a survey showing vehicle and pedestrian numbers did not warrant the provision under council rules.
The go-ahead could spark further requests from communities wanting a crossing but who do not meet council criteria.
Councillor Jean Lee said the numbers of pedestrians crossing the A923 might have been relatively low as people were unwilling to cross on foot.
Councillor David May said he hoped more people would now use the park and the hall as they would be able to cross the road safely.
Residents have campaigned for a pedestrian crossing for months, with 1275 people signing a petition. Surveys of road usage carried out over 12 hours on a June day and a single June evening recorded the number of pedestrians and vehicles.
Mrs Lee was delighted when chairman Mr May spoke in favour of the crossing and there were no dissenting voices.
Mr May said: “While our survey shows that traffic and pedestrian numbers are below the level that would normally warrant a light-controlled crossing at the site, I am personally satisfied that a pedestrian crossing to service the already-popular community hall and park would be a worthwhile investment by the council. Hopefully it will encourage more people of all ages to take advantage of these facilities.”‘Unique’He added: “I think this is a unique situation given the hall and the park are on the opposite side of the road (from all the houses) and that is why I back this.”
Mrs Lee said providing the crossing would go against the criteria laid down by the council but “the will of the people” had won.
She said: “We (as a council) already agree there exists a danger to pedestrians. If this council has agreed a danger exists, it is only right we take steps to remove that danger.”
She added: “Perhaps the numbers were not there (on the survey) because people were too afraid to cross the road.”
A report prepared for councillors stated that there was money available in the budget to install a pedestrian crossing in the current financial year.
Regulations state that three months’ notice is required. The estimated cost of installing a puffin (pedestrian user-friendly intelligent) crossing and other works including moving a bus stop is £60,000.
The report adds there will be maintenance costs of £400 a year.
Councillors were told that the puffin crossing is now the most commonly-used type of signal-controlled pedestrian crossing.
Pedestrian detection is used to vary the length of the green light period for pedestrians, giving them the time they need to cross the road.