ANGRY parents are demanding the installation of a traffic light-controlled crossing on a notorious bend in a Hampshire town, in fear of their children's safety.

For many years a crossing patrolwoman(CORR), employed by Hampshire County Council, would assist pupils from schools in Romsey when they needed to cross Duttons Road on their way home – mainly to the Fishlake Meadows housing estate.

But, when she retired midway through the summer term in 2016, the county council decided not to replace her and there is now no patrol nor suitable crossing point on this busy stretch of road.

The designated crossing, on a blind-bend of the road, allows pupils to cross, use a tunnel under the railway tracks and gain access to Romsey Industrial Estate.

Now a group of parents whose children use this crossing have started a petition, which has been delivered to Hampshire County Council, demanding either the reinstatement of the crossing patrol or that a pelican (traditional) or puffin (sensor controlled) crossing is put in its place; the petition currently has more than 760 signatures.

One of the parents, Claire Wise whose son is a Year 7 pupil at Romsey School, said the road needs the crossing as there are no other suitable routes.

“After escorting my son and his friends to school on moving up week (when primary school pupils start at secondary school), we realised that the lollipop person was no longer present at this busy crossing.

"After trying alternative routes, none of the options available seemed any safer. We decided to take action by creating the petition to re-instate the lollipop person.

"However, the initial response from Hampshire County Council seemed to discriminate against our children due to them being of senior school age, therefore old enough not to need help. All of the statistics point towards this very age group as being mostly at risk.

Speaking about the petition, Ms Wise added: "We are really thankful for all the support we have received so far and are looking forward to a positive outcome.”

Along with the petition, Colm McKavanagh, Headteacher at Romsey School, wrote to county council transport boss Rob Humby to ask for a review into the council's decision to scrap the patrol.

However, the council responded to say its policy is not to provide one at secondary school sites.

“This is a really dangerous crossing point, with a heavy volume of traffic including lorries at the beginning and end of the school day," said Mr McKavanagh.

"I am really concerned that we will have an accident here given the number of pupils who use this daily.”

Nevertheless, county councillor for Romsey Town, Mark Cooper, said he will assist the parents and the school in getting a crossing.

"I have asked for a pedestrian to vehicle ratio assessment to be done to see if we can justify a formal crossing at the top end of the road," said Cllr Cooper.

"Ideally, a Puffin crossing is needed; these crossings include a movement sensor so traffic is halted whenever anyone is on the crossing."

Cllr Cooper, who is also a member of Test Valley Borough Council, added: "I've also asked Test Valley planning officers if such a crossing can be developer funded following on the increase in the number of planning permissions north of Romsey."