PARENTS and teachers are furious that a zebra crossing has still not been installed near three Thornbury primary schools despite months of campaigning.


Earlier this year, a group of parents, teachers and councillors launched a campaign for a crossing in Knapp Road, near The Crossways Schools, Christ The King Primary School and New Siblands School.


They fear that a child could be hit by a car and seriously injured.


Around 200 questionnaires and 300 signatures were gathered by the group in April to present to South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) but the road still has no crossing or crossing guard. 


Executive headteacher at Crossways, Mark Toogood, said he is very concerned about the safety of pupils crossing the road.


“We and SGC are currently unable to fill a crossing patrol role here which means it’s very dangerous when the children are crossing the road,” he said.


“There needs to be a permanent solution and I think a crossing is the only one at this point.”


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.

Parent Jenny Ratcliffe, who has helped organise the campaign, said: “As a parent to two children aged seven and nine at the school, I am concerned that nothing has happened.” 


“This is a 20mph road and when it’s busy, it’s very busy and very dangerous. We believe this is an accident waiting to happen, especially as nights get darker and more dangerous.”


Crossways parents produced a report and presented a petition with 376 signatures at a SGC meeting in July.


Mrs Ratcliffe also met with the MP for Thornbury and Yate, Luke Hall, to discuss the issue with other parents earlier this month.


Mr Hall said: “South Gloucestershire Council has agreed to send someone to the site to assess the traffic flow. I have asked the council to clarify when this is going to happen and I have also asked that it takes place during term time and during pick up and drop off hours, so they can get a realistic picture of the problem.” 


SGC said it is carrying out a survey of the road to see if a crossing would be feasible, and is trying to recruit a school crossing patrol.


A spokesman said: “If the survey’s findings confirm residents’ observations then there is a possibility of the request being added to the Local Transport Priority List as an item to be taken to the Area Forum for further consideration in spring 2016.”