A CAMPAIGN group is calling for a manned pedestrian crossing to be installed amid fears for the safety of schoolchildren.

A cyclist was knocked off his bike at the junction of Church Road and North Street in Portslade last month, the area earmarked for a pedestrian crossing which will be discussed by Brighton and Hove City Council committee members.

But the 1,000-strong South Portslade Safe Roads Campaign is calling for more to be done, including a manned crossing for St Peter’s Community Primary School pupils to use.

Rae Powers, who has two children aged three and five at the school and is a member of the group, said: “If something happened to a child it would be disastrous, and it’s only a matter of time until that becomes a reality.

“It’s a dangerous road with drivers speeding on the A259 and Vale Road trying to get from one light to another.

“Last year there were so many close calls with drivers slamming on their brakes.

“We want a crossing at the bottom of St Peter’s Road so that our kids can avoid Church Road altogether as well as a traffic control person.

“It’s natural for people leaving the school to walk down the hill and cross at the bottom, and it’s the safest place to cross – so it just makes sense.

“Our group has been going for a year and, although it started as parents, it has now become a community issue.

“We have local businesses, neighbours and even lorry drivers working for the docks who are in support of what we’re doing.”

The cyclist was knocked off his bike on September 23 at 11.22am.

A council spokesman said: “We’re sorry to hear of this accident. “It’s well known that this council has done more than most to improve cycling safety and this weekend won a top European award related to that.

“We have already reduced the speed limit on this road to 20mph and while it’s impossible to eliminate all accidents slower speeds will make them less serious where they do occur.

“Any zebra crossing is intended to improve the safety of pedestrians crossing the road, rather than the safety of cyclists. “Road safety budgets continue to be spent in locations where they will bring the greatest returns in terms of reducing injuries and deaths.”

l At a meeting of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee on Tuesday, it was agreed a temporary lollipop person will be in place as councillors could not come to agreement over the crossing.

Following a further technical report, the issue will be discussed again by councillors at the committee meeting on November 25.