Calls for a safe crossing to be installed on a busy Swanley road where two schools are situated have been renewed after a young boy was hit by a van.

Jade Ranger, whose brother Charlie was knocked down in St Mary's Road last Thursday, told News Shopper that although it wasn't serious, she still fears for his safety going forward as there is still no safe crossing on that street.

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"Such a simple thing can go such a long way. Anything to protect the kids from silly drivers is what we need right now.

"I’m so worried about my brother's safety now and for the other kids going to the schools. We desperately need the zebra crossing," she said.

Last week's incident has sparked fresh calls for a zebra crossing to be put in place in St Mary's Road with one online petition reaching approximately 500 signatures from concerned residents.

However, concerns over the safety of this busy street has been an ongoing issue for residents and councillors alike, with one woman previously predicting this kind of accident would occur.

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Since November, Debbie Nicholls, whose son attends St Mary's Primary School, has been petitioning to get a zebra crossing for the street, stating that anti-social parking and oncoming traffic were making it dangerous for kids going to and from school every day.

"I feel that the area for children to cross outside of St Mary's School is unsafe and this needs assessing," she said.

Since then, her petition has garnered hundreds of signatures and she says she is adamant action will need to be taken in order to prevent future incidents.

"If I can’t get anywhere with the council, we might have to protest," she said.

A spokesman for Kent County Council said: "We are very concerned to hear what happened and we wish a full and swift recovery to the child involved.

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"KCC constantly strive to keep people as safe as possible on Kent’s roads.

"We analyse crash data supplied by Kent Police for any trends that can be identified and potentially addressed by investing in safety engineering measures.

"Managing the speed of traffic is essential to continue reducing the number of and severity of casualties on our roads.

"Kent Police is responsible for the enforcement of local speed limits.

"Residents should contact their local councillor in the first instance to get their support and see if there is potential for funding through their member grant scheme."

News Shopper:

However, mayor of Swanley Lesley Dyball, who previously backed Ms Nicholls' petition, believes that more needs to be done to help tackle reckless driving down this street.

"I have raised the issue of speed and dangerous parking along St Mary's Road with the police, Sevenoaks District Council and our Kent county councillor on numerous occasions.

"Cllr Michael Horwood and I are supportive of some sort of crossing in St Mary's Road. However, we both are concerned that even the installation of a zebra crossing will not prevent reckless and speeding drivers along the road, even when children are crossing.

"We need police to enforce the 20mph speed limit and educate drivers," she said.