PARENTS and staff have launched a campaign for the installation of a zebra crossing in a "dangerous area" near three Thornbury primary schools.

Almost 200 questionnaires and more than 300 signatures have been returned to a group calling for a crossing in Knapp Road, near The Crossways Schools, Christ The King Primary School and New Siblands School.

Pupils were helped to cross Knapp Road by patrol supervisor Margaret Drayton, but since she left her role in 2010 only temporary replacements have been found.

A meeting to raise the concerns at The Crossways Schools was attended by parents, members of the school council, Mark Toogood , the headteacher at the school, and Cllr Clare Fardell.

The Safer Crossways Team have carried out several investigations into a crossing which could also be used by pupils from nearby Christ The King and New Siblands schools.

A questionnaire given to parents of children at the three schools and to residents in Knapp Road, Sibland Road and Easton Hill Road received 197 responses while a petition for a zebra crossing was signed 376 times.

A report on the group’s findings, produced by parent and member Jenny Ratcliffe, was handed to Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Steve Webb.

She said: “Mrs Drayton was lollipop lady outside of the school for 24 years. But after leaving four years ago no permanent replacement has been found.

“The fact of the matter is not many people want to be a lollipop person anymore.”

Currently there are vacancies for school crossing patrol staff at ten schools in South Gloucestershire.

“People have tried before to get a crossing but with no luck,” Mrs Ratcliffe added. “It’s a dangerous area, it’s just waiting for an accident to happen.

“We want something to be done before anything serious happens to parents and children going to and from school.”

At the meeting, the school’s headteacher Mark Toogood said: “One of the problems we have is that there are a lot of after-school clubs – particularly in the summer months.

“History shows us that filling the position for a new lollipop lady will be very difficult – we’ve advertised it in our newsletter for years with no luck.”

A spokesman for the council said: “South Gloucestershire Council takes road safety, particularly for children near schools, very seriously. That is why we are introducing 20mph speed limits surrounding schools.

“These speed restrictions, combined with low traffic flows outside of school times mean these roads do not meet the criteria for additional permanent crossings, however we fund ‘lollipop’ crossing patrols for schools and are currently actively recruiting for a new supervisor at both Crossways and Manorbrook Primary Schools in Thornbury.

“Despite extensive efforts, including through school channels and local leaflet drops in the area, no one has yet stepped forward.

“We will be pleased to hear from anyone living in the Thornbury area who would like to know more about the opportunity to become a trained and paid crossing supervisor.

“The work is spread over five hours per week, working morning and afternoon shifts Monday to Friday, during term times. The successful applicants will be paid £7.85 per hour.”

The council has asked anyone interested in filling the position to Wendy Feltham on 01454 863611 or wendy.feltham@southglos.gov.uk for an informal discussion and application form.