A SAFETY crossing is to be installed on a busy stretch of road.

Concerned parent Emma Smy had called for a crossing patrol to be reinstated near a village school after she was nearly struck down by a car.

While Essex County Council says that will not happen, a spokesman said a light controlled crossing should be in place by the end of the year.

Emma, 41, of Clays Road, Walton, takes her son Dexter, who is five years old, to the Kirby Cross Primary School, in Halstead Road.

But she said they have been in fear of crossing the road because its drivers are dangerous.

The worried mother says a lollipop person had been situated at the site for more than 30 years, but there is now no-one to help families walk from one side to the other.

According to a report published by the GMB Union, the number of lollipop men and women has fallen by more than 2,000 in the past decade.

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Emma said: “Our little boy is five years old in Year 1, but we are yet to have been able to cross the road safely to school.

“There is a zebra crossing, but this means a lot of families going back on themselves and adding time to an already busy start to their day.

“For over 30 years there has been a lollipop person, so why has this been taken away?”

Emma’s decision to raise her concerns comes after she was nearly in collision with a vehicle in the road.

She now believes it could be only a matter of time before someone – be it a child or parent – is seriously injured on their way to the school.

“Last week I was almost hit by a car and then verbally abused by the driver behind,” added Emma,

“I am an adult who, thankfully, was on my own, but it is the same old story of ‘We will deal with that when an accident happens’.

“It is disgusting if this is the case, as it is children we are talking about, who just want to get to school safely.

“I just feel it is going to take an accident for someone to take notice.”

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A spokesman for the council said the previous patrol officer left due to personal reasons, but said a light-controlled crossing was in the process of being installed.

He said: “The crossing was originally due to be installed in January 2020, however, works have faced delays. We are pleased to say the new crossing is set to be operational by December.”