A crossing Zebra turned heads in Harold Hill on Friday as pupils called for a 20mph speed limit outside two schools.
Zak the Zebra, mascot of road safety charity Brake, joined campaigners at Brookside Junior and Infant schools to urge tighter speed restrictions on Dagnam Park Drive.
In March, a Year 5 pupil suffered head injuries and a broken arm when she was struck by a car as she crossed the road after school.
More than 2,000 people have already shown their support by signing a petition - which also calls for the introduction of a lollipop person on the road - but 3,000 are needed to force a council debate.
Parent and campaigner Tina Wright said: “We urgently need improve road safety both around the school and in the wider area before someone else gets hurt.
“We need a permanent measure so that even during school holidays children are safe, not just at school closing time.
“We have a new skatepark, playground, and youth centre, but as yet no action to ensure children can get to and enjoy their community facilities safely.
“The council have deferred taking action, but we want our children to be safe. Finances should not be an issue when it comes to protecting children’s lives.”
Brake, which campaigns for safer streets and supports families affected by crashes, underpins its work with a belief road collisions are not “accidents” but preventable events.
Campaigns officer Ed Morrow said: “It is shocking and unacceptable for a young girl to be knocked down and seriously hurt outside her school.
“Everyone - adults and children - should be able to walk and cycle, to get to school or work, to visit local shops and facilities, or just for their enjoyment, without being endangered by fast traffic.
“Twenty mph limits are an effective, tried and tested way of protecting our children, and making our communities more pleasant places for everyone.”
A Havering Council spokesman said: “We’re meeting with the acting head teacher of Brookside School to discuss their concerns next week, after which, we’ll consider any specific traffic calming requests.”
Read more:
1,000 put names to petition after girl knocked down and hospitalised outside Harold Hill schoolMum releases image of injured daughter in bid to improve road safety outside Harold Hill schoolCouncil seeks to calm nerves at Brookside Junior School after super-head’s dismissal
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