FEARS are growing for the safety of children after a pedestrian crossing, serving two schools, was removed.

Development work for 50 homes has started on land at Wickford Football Club, but as part of the proposals, Essex County Council has removed a zebra crossing on the busy Southend Road, leaving pupils to navigate a safe path through traffic.

Scores of pupils used the crossing to get to nearby Hilltop Junior School, in Hill Avenue, and Beauchamps High School, in Beauchamps Drive, but without a crossing one worried parent claims it will only be a matter of time before a child is mowed down after witnessing several near misses.

Nicola Levy, of Southend Road, who has two children, Charlie, ten, who goes to Hilltop, and George, 12, who goes to Beauchamps, said: “It’s an accident waiting to happen.

“It’s disgusting the council has taken away the crossing without putting in a replacement.

"It’s so dangerous because there are hundreds of pupils who cross that road each day."