PARENTS are desperate for better road safety in Lee after a mum was hit by a car and shattered both legs as she picked her son up from school.

The 45-year-old woman is still in hospital following the accident outside St Winifred’s Infants School which scores of young children and their families witnessed on September 10.

The stretch of busy road - which four schools back on to - in Manor Lane has been an "accident waiting to happen", the headteacher of St Winifred’s Infants School says.

There are fears a child could have been killed and it has prompted a petition for Lewisham Council to improve road safety between Handen Road and Taunton Road which schools in the area have signed up to.

News Shopper: Vanessa Jeannin has jointly set up a petition calling for better road safety

Graphic designer Maria Teran-Frias, who has set up the petition with neighbour Vanessa Jeannin, told News Shopper: "I was the first to approach the lady, she was on the floor.

"It was so shocking to see her there - you could see her leg was badly broken and her foot was hanging off - it was horrible.

"Obviously the accident was very shocking for all of us.

"On top of that, every day we have to walk to school with our children and it is a nightmare.

"When we have to cross it is the busiest time of day.

"It is very dangerous for mothers, children and elderly people."

The mother-of-four, 36, who lives in Manor Lane, says the road gets very busy at school drop-off and pick-up times and there are no crossings so families are forced to ‘jay-walk’.

The petition aims for 1,000 signatures and currently has more than 300 with schools including Lee Manor and St Winifred’s Infants School behind the campaign.

The victim of the crash was hit at as she crossed at the junction with Effingham Road to pick up her son who had started in reception at St Winifred’s Infants School that week.

Headteacher of St Winifred’s Infants School Margaret Hanrahan said: "We are very much behind it.

"It was terribly shocking. I have been concerned for a long time and reported various issues.

"It’s a very very busy road - it has been an accident waiting to happen.

"She has shattered both her legs. If that was a child they wouldn’t have survived.

"It is very shocking for the children to see at the end of the day.

"It was awful. We had a special assembly to explain she was fine and for the children to be careful."

She went on to say a road traffic island would help the situation as well as clearer 20mph signs and better designated parking areas.

The petition highlights the lack of crossings in Manor Lane - which is often used as a short cut between South Circular Drive and Lee High Road - as well as the speed of traffic and the lack of parking available for parents.

A Lewisham Council spokeswoman said: "The council has a continuing programme of schemes to improve road safety measures and will continue to work in conjunction with parents, schools and residents to review the most affected areas."

To sign the petition email vanessa_r_harris@hotmail.com or pick up a copy at Pistachios in the Park Café in Manor House Gardens and return it to Vanessa by October 7.