A mum has re-launched her long-running campaign to get a crossing outside a primary school after a child was hit by a car.

Claire Smith started her battle eight years ago when she narrowly avoided being run over with her two young sons and baby daughter in Medway.

She gathered petitions, lobbied councillors, wrote to highways bosses and spoke at public meetings.

WATCH: Urgent call for school crossing after pupil struck by car

But as there was not evidence at the time, her fight to get road safety measures outside Tunbury Primary School, Walderslade, failed.

Despondent, Mrs Smith, 46, gave up - until a pupil was struck by a vehicle, suffering cuts and bruises a few weeks ago.

She said: "It brought it all back to me. I realised what I did all those years ago was the right thing to do.

"We see near-misses every day, but KCC officers said there was not enough to justify the cost of a crossing.

"It seems as if it has to take somebody to die for somebody to sit up and listen.

"If anything it’s got worse as there is more traffic on the road and everyone is in such a hurry to drop off and get to work."

She started a petition and at the Tunbury Avenue school got 120 signatures to boost the 850 names she already has online.

"It seems as if it has to take somebody to die for somebody to sit up and listen" - Claire Smith

The main issues are parked cars on double yellow lines and speeding drivers on the cut-through road which is very busy at school dropping-off and picking-up times.

Ideally, she wants a crossing and for that stretch of road to be more closely monitored at peak times.

Mrs Smith said: "I would like to see the speed limit lowered from 30mph to 20mph during school run and perhaps a flashing sign warning children are crossing.

"But anything would be better than nothing.

“The response at the school was very positive. Children were saying they don’t feel safe and parents were very supportive."

She will now be urging various parties involved in school traffic management to reconsider.

A spokesperson for Tunbury Primary School said: “We are more than happy to work with parents and the council to improve the conditions on the road and would take this opportunity to remind people to slow down and be considerate of other road users and pedestrians outside of the school.

“We have previously advertised for a school crossing patrol officer but have been unable to fill the post and recruitment to such a position remains difficult.

“We would encourage anyone dropping off their children to obey the road markings please and not park on the zig-zag lines or double yellow lines, which are there for a very good reason.”

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