CONCERNED parents have set up a petition calling for action to improve the safety of Liverpool Road in Great Sankey 'before it is too late'.

Upset mums and dads have claimed there have been a number of near misses with cars as their children walk to Great Sankey Primary School.

Since the school's lollipop lady retired in 2013 and was not replaced, worried parents say they have begged Warrington Borough Council to put in more safety measures on the road.

Mum-of-two Suzy Rudge, 35, said: "It's an awful road and there's constantly lorries and cars flying down it.

"The council extended the pavement on both sides for kids to cross and a lot of cars will stop if families want to cross but I recently saw another car come flying from behind and overtake the car that had stopped.

"It's so dangerous I think they need to bring back a lollipop lady, restrict it to 20mph or install a proper crossing with traffic lights."

A council spokesman said they appreciate parents’ concerns.

He added: "We are not aware of any collisions occurring as a result from the absence of a patrol and in recent years we have made a number of localised improvements to ensure children’s safety including parking restrictions, bollards to prevent parking on pavements, built-out kerbs to narrow the road and create a safer crossing point in front of the school and road markings to encourage drivers not to obstruct access to residents’ driveways.

"We continue to monitor and review where accidents happen across the borough and our message to all motorists is ‘slow down, look out for children and help our crossing patrols by stopping when required'."

He added the council is currently exploring the idea of a bank of volunteers willing to step in and provide cover at unsupervised crossings.

Potential volunteers should email details to contact@warrington.gov.uk.

Click here to view the petition.