PARENTS are campaigning for a pedestrian crossing to be installed on a dangerous stretch of road used by hundreds of school children.

Alderton Hill in Loughton is used by pupils from three different schools and has a 30mph speed limit.

But parents said speeding motorists drive too fast, and recently there have been a few near misses.

Alison Leavey, 46 from Loughton walks her son to Alderton Junior School, but said when he starts Roding Valley High School in September, he will want to walk on his own.

She said: "I'm not going to let him cross that road. It's important for him to have some independence and walk to school on his own, but I don't want him crossing that road until there's a crossing there.

"He will have to take a different route which is very much out of his way."

Mrs Leavey wrote to the district council to ask for a crossing to be installed, but was sent a letter back saying it would cost more than £85,000.

She said: "It was extremely negative. I was told I didn't have a hope of getting a crossing put in and that perhaps I should send my child to school on the bus instead. Why should he have to go on the bus when the school is within walking distance?

"I'm not asking for one of these electronic crossings, all we want is a simple zebra crossing, just a few lines painted on the road.

"The county council also wrote back to me and said they would assess the road and it would be put on a list, but how long will that take? How long will it be before someone get's knocked down and what is the cost of somebody's life?"

Mrs Leavey started a campaign with other parents for a crossing to be installed after one mother was almost knocked down.

She said: "She got struck by a car and managed to jump back but it was a near miss. She wasn't hurt but it definitely shook her up.

"What I don't understand is there is a brand new crossing which has been put in place next to Epping Forest College, but it's been covered up since last year and not used.

"Everyone wants this crossing so someone needs to listen to us. It's a nightmare crossing that road and if you try, you take your life in your own hands."

Headteacher of Roding Valley High School Geoff Mangan said he would support the parents.

He added: "There's constant traffic and it's a dangerous road. If it was my kid crossing there I would be worried.

"I will definitely support the parents with their campaign because quite a number of children walk down from that area. Anything which makes the kids safer, I will support."

Headteacher of Alderton Junior School Judith Lunn agreed.

She said: "I would support parents with anything to make their children safer."

A spokesman from Essex County Council said: “We will be carrying out a full assessment into the feasibility of installing a new pedestrian crossing on Alderton Hill in Loughton.

"It is not possible to give any indication of time frame or costs until this has been completed.”