ANGRY parents campaigning for a zebra crossing outside their children's school formed a human road block on Monday, in a bid to secure better crossing facilities before someone is injured.

St Gregory's RC Primary School in Woodfield Road, Ealing has not had a patrol crossing officer since autumn last year and has yet to receive any firm news about a replacement from Ealing Council.

But as fears grow for the safety of children, the school's Parents' Association has collected over 1,000 signatures on a petition in support of the better crossing facilities.

Both parents and staff have become increasingly frustrated by the council's lack of action on the matter and are concerned that a child could soon be hit by a car.

Yet the authority maintains that funding for a crossing remains 'highly unlikely'.

Pat McCarthey, headteacher of St Gregory's, told the Times of her mounting concern.

"As headteacher of the school, I am responsible for all the children's safety and I am very worried because unless there is an accident, it seems we're not being taken seriously. I don't want an accident outside my school."

She was backed by Amanda Hodder, vice-chairwoman of the Parents' Association, who said: "We have the support of all the parents and have had a good response to the petition.

"Every morning and afternoon I put out cones on either side of the road to stop people from parking, so that there is a clear area for children to cross. I am amazed there hasn't been an accident so far. The children are at a daily risk of being knocked down."

However, a council spokesman responded by saying that road crossing schemes are prioritised according to accident levels in the vicinity of schools and St Gregory's is considered a safe area. The council is in the process of replacing the patrol crossing officer but this is taking longer than anticipated.

"The department has a list of priorities and a key requisite is accidents within the radius of the school," he explained. "There have been no child accidents within a 400m radius of St Gregory's Primary School over the past three years."

The council's comments have done little to allay the fears of parents, however, who maintain that the road outside the school is narrow and forms part of a busy bus route with several stops on either side just a few yards from the school entrance.

Nikki Stewart, of Lynwood Road, has four daughters who attend the school and is fed up of waiting for something to be done.

She said: "I am very concerned for the safety of my children and I think the council needs to come down here and see for themselves just how dangerous it actually is."