Hundreds have signed a petition requesting a zebra crossing be installed on a "dangerous" road outside a primary school.

Painters Ash Primary School is asking that more traffic calming measures - including timed road closures - be put in place along Masefield Road in Northfleet to tackle incidents outside the gates.

It comes after numerous reports of "near misses" in which children have narrowly avoided serious injury, it is claimed.

Problems have been attributed to inconsiderate parents double parking and vehicles racing down the narrow side street.

A few weeks ago, the school launched a road safety campaign and a petition calling for new measures which has gathered nearly 300 signatures at the time of writing.

Measures include putting in place a zebra crossing along Masefield Road, preventing access to the street during certain times of the day and employing a lollipop person to help ease traffic woes.

In a letter sent to Kent County Council and Gravesham council, head teacher Gina Salter said: "I am aware that several schools face the same issue, but we have had several incidents of 'near misses' where a child could have been fatally injured if it were not for the prompt action of parents/staff.

"We appreciate the support of the traffic wardens who have been excellent when they do come out but understandably, they are unable to spend much time with us."

Ms Salter went on to explain how neighbours are often unable to get in or out of their drive due to cars being parked "inconsiderately".

And on one occasion an ambulance was unable to park.

"Cars parked where they should not be, together with speeding cars, is a potential for a tragedy to happen and we would be grateful if you could assist us in doing everything possible to prevent this," she told parents.

The head teacher added the school had been sending notifications to parents, speaking to them about behaviours and staggering start and finish times to help combat problems.

But she added: "Unfortunately, all these measures that have been put into place are insufficient in keeping our children safe."

"It is just a matter of time until something is going to happen"

Mannie Hooper, the school's family liaison officer, said tensions outside the school gates had heightened since the start of the pandemic.

"It is just a matter of time until something is going to happen," she said. "It is getting quite bad out there.

"We had enforcement officers and the parking team; they came for a few days and then we didn't see them for months."

The school does not have cameras facing the road outside the school so it is difficult to collect data on the exact number of incidents, Mrs Hooper added.

Recent incidents have led to arguments and confrontations outside the gates between parents and other members of the public, she claimed.

"Because we have staggered start times it has highlighted a lot of issues," she added. "We try to work with our parents as much as possible but there are some that ignore the rules."

The support worker wants to see changes made to the road and says even the repainting of faded zig-zag lines would make a difference.

Mrs Hooper points to the success of similar schemes which have been rolled out at nearby Cecil Road primary where a one-way system has been introduced.

"We want a one-way system or crossing, just something," she added.

The school is taking part in the KM Charity's Walk to School campaign for the current academic year.

Active Wow (Walk On Wednesdays) helps children to establish a healthier lifestyle by asking as many staff and students as possible to walk to work or school.

During Road Safety Week, which took place between November 15 to 21, children at the primary school put together posters to accompany the petition.

It was due to be heard at Gravesham council's joint transportation board tonight but the meeting has been cancelled. Click here to view the petition.

Gravesham council declined to comment.

Kent County Council said it was following a process and would respond to the petition once it had been officially lodged at the joint transportation board meeting.