A petition calling for a pedestrian crossing outside a primary school before someone is seriously hurt has been presented to the Swale Joint Transportation Board.

Cllr George Samuel (Con, Woodstock) handed over the 278 names urging the authorities to make changes outside Tunstall Church of England School.

Pupils only started using the £7.1 million school in April last year after moving from its old premises further along Tunstall Road.

Cllr Samuel said: “The new school has excellent parking and drop-off points but the two existing crossing points are confusing for both pedestrians and drivers because pedestrians don’t have a right of way.

“This is an incredibly busy road which is nearly impossible to cross in the mornings and afternoons.

“The petition demonstrates the level of real concern shared by so many. It is creating a dangerous situation which will only get worse as the school grows.”

The petition was started last month by concerned mum-of-three Wendy Harwood who lives in nearby Cranbrook Drive.

The 44-year-old said: “When it was proposed to build a new school most of us were under the impression a pedestrian crossing meant a pedestrian crossing. But the pedestrians don’t have right of way.

“At picking up and dropping off times it’s very busy and some motorists don’t always stop.”

Mrs Harwood said she was pleased with the number of signatures and hoped to find out in June if the authorities agreed.

She added: “We just want a crossing where pedestrians have the right of way.A zebra crossing with flashing lights would be ideal.”

She said the school, which has about 150 pupils and is expanding, was considering employing a lollipop patrol for certain hours.

Cllr Samuel said there had been five incidents in five years in Tunstall Road and “countless” near-misses.

The petition will go to Cllr Matthew Balfour, Kent County Council’s cabinet member for environment and transport, and a report will be sent back to a later joint transportation board meeting.