THE family of a schoolgirl who was killed in an horrific road crash has asked: "How many more children need to die before our roads are made safe?"

Natalie Warren, 16, from Cliffe Woods, near Strood, was thrown from her moped on the B2000 Cliffe road at the junction of Dillywood Lane and Lower Rochester Road. The A-level student had been travelling to a friend's house to do some homework when she collided with an oncoming car.

Natalie, known as Talli by family and friends, was hurled almost 50 metres from her bike and died at the scene of the crash last Wednesday night, despite the efforts of paramedics. Her death came just one year after another teenager died in a road accident in the same area.

Now her mother and stepfather, Marion and Brian Cornick, are determined that no more lives should be lost on local roads. The couple, who live in Town Road, Cliffe Woods, are demanding that Medway Council learn the lessons of Natalie's death and enforce a strict 50mph speed limit on the town's roads.

They also want to see improved road markings and cats eyes on every bend in the road.

Mrs Cornick said: "Our family has been devastated by Natalie's death and it's important that lessons are learned.

"One death is too many on that stretch or road. Now we have had two in the space of a year and something has to be done about it. How many more lives need to be lost before the council acts?

"Natalie was a very popular girl. She was so bubbly and always had a smile on her face. I was absolutely shocked and crushed when she died."

Mr Cornick had already written several letters to the council asking for more road safety measures before his stepdaughterÕs death. Now he plans to increase his campaign to make the roads safer for all motorists and reduce the risk of further deaths.

He said: "All the corners should have cats' eyes so drivers can see the bend of the road because it difficult to see the road in the dark. There is almost no lighting and most of the road markings have faded or gone. Things need to change immediately."

A spokesman for the council said: "Every serious accident is thoroughly investigated by police, who then share their findings and recommendations with the council, to examine if action is needed to improve safety. Until the police investigation is completed, we are not in a position to comment on the cause of the accident."

Natalie's funeral, which takes place at St Helen's Church in Cliffe at 11.15am on Friday, is expected to be attended by more than 200 people.