Havering’s parents and headteachers demand safety review after child run over

Parents, headteachers and councillors have increased calls for a review of road safety to protect children after a four-year-old boy was hit by a car outside his school.

An air ambulance landed on the field of Hilldene Primary after the reception pupil was knocked down crossing at a traffic island near the school in Straight Road, Harold Hill, on Tuesday.

Police believe his injuries are not as serious as first suspected, but parents want action to prevent a tragedy.

Mum-of-one Tasha Mercer, 25, started a petition calling for a zebra crossing to replace the island hours after the accident and had about 300 signatures by the following afternoon.

Miss Mercer, of Heaton Avenue, Harold Hill, said that the 30mph road is “chaos” and a danger to children.

Heaton ward councillor Keith Darvill (Labour) said the road was particularly dangerous in the mornings, with high-speed traffic coming from Gallows Corner.

“I will be calling for an urgent review of traffic and parking on the road,” he said.

Clare D’Netto, headteacher of St Ursula’s Catholic Junior School, in Straight Road, called for increased lollipop patrols and for 30mph speed limits to be lowered near schools.

Her pupils are campaigning for a crash barrier to be extended after two cars careered into the school wall.

Mrs D’Netto, who has supervised crossings in the absence of lollipop patrols, said: “It’s only by the grace of God there’s not been anything worse.”

Malcolm Drakes, headteacher at Broadford Primary School, in Faringdon Avenue, Harold Hill, said CCTV cars were needed to ensure that parking rules were followed.

But new measures had been introduced in April to combat inconsiderate behaviour by drivers outside schools in response to headteachers’ complaints, council leader Cllr Roger Ramsey said.

“We highlighted the most important areas and make sure we visit every three weeks as a minimum,” he said.

“We’re doing absolutely everything we can with the resources we have.

“Our enforcement officers cover an extremely large area, but residents should be assured that tackling parking and driving issues at schools is one of our main priorities.”

Hilldene was identified as a priority, he continued, and was visited seven times in one month to issue penalties and advice.

He added: “Drivers have a responsibility to drive and park according to the conditions and restrictions of the environment.

“Residents also have to be alert and aware of their surroundings, and cross roads where it is safe to do so.”

A mother of a child at the school, who did not wish to be named, witnessed the “shocking” accident and called for an ambulance.

She said: “To watch a child knocked down and see them roll in the road was horrible. Everyone was screaming and in shock.

“He was so lucky not to have broken a bone.”

Jane Davenport, Headteacher of Hilldene Primary School, said she wished the boy a “speedy recovery”.

No arrests have been made and police enquiries continue.

The Recorder initially reported that the child was a three-year-old girl on the advice of London Ambulance Service. The service has apologised for the mistake.