FURIOUS parents are calling for a pedestrian crossing on Downsell Road after four near misses in seven days involving children attending Webheath Academy Primary School.
A petition started by mum Kelly Cole, whose own son Oliver was nearly hit by a taxi there, has already received hundreds of signatures.
And her efforts have been backed by headteacher Chris Millward who said: “We’ve had four near misses in seven days.
“We did have a crossing patrol but when he retired they couldn’t find a replacement and since then the situation has got worse.
“There are two schools on this road and it’s not safe with all the parking and the way people drive. It’s an accident waiting to happen and yet they won’t do anything until something happens and that to me is reactive.
“I don’t want to be the first headteacher to have a child killed outside their school.”
The head has raised the issue with the county council’s highways department, the police and the borough council, as has Kelly, who said: “You look at other schools and they have pedestrian crossings, speed bumps and a crossing patrol while here we have nothing.”
And she described graphically how six-year-old Oliver escaped with his life while crossing the busy road.
“I also have a nine year-old son, Samuel, and the three of us were crossing the road, everyone had stopped and like a lot of youngsters Oliver just likes to run the last few yards across the road to get to the pavement.
“Then a taxi appeared from nowhere – he was definitely doing more than 20mph – and he just managed to stop, but it’s only a matter of time before someone is killed,” she said.
“I contacted the highways department at county hall but you don’t get to speak to anyone. When I called back all they would say is that they’re dealing with it.”
Kelly also contacted the police and a member of the local Safer Neighbourhood Team came down but parents want more action from the authorities.
She also feels that with the school growing from an infants to a primary the dangers could increase.
“There needs to be something physical to slow the cars down.”
A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: “The county council receives a number of requests for crossings each year.
“We undertake an annual assessment of each crossing request, which is currently underway and should be completed by the end of the calendar year.
“Those feasible requests will be programmed in for installation during the following financial year however this is also dependent on budget.”
