A CAMPAIGNING mum is celebrating after winning a battle to get a crossing outside a school.

Sarah Steel, of Somercotes, Laindon, has been working to get a pedestrian crossing outside the Janet Duke Primary School in Basildon for more than three years.

The mum-of-five’s children attend the school and she says the road is dangerous because of people parking in restricted areas.

Mrs Steel, 36, was expecting a newcrossing to have come out of Basildon Council’s budget last year but it didn’t materialise.

Janet Duke School told Sarah she had won her battle last year, but it was her husband who told her it has now finally been put in.

She said: “My husband, Kevin, came home and said you’ve got to see the new crossing – it looks great.

She said: “I am pleased the crossing is there, to be honest. I started campaigning for the crossing, but in recent times I have lost my mum, dad and granddad.

“I have spoken to the Echo a few times and have had stories in the paper about the crossing.

“I would be concerned about my children walking to school on their own. People play chicken with the cars and crossing the road.

“The parking outside the school is also terrible, with people parking on double yellow lines when picking up and dropping children off for school.”

Mrs Steel said she was joined by fellowparent James Tate who supported her calls for a crossing outside the school.

She said: “The fight for a pedestrian crossing is very special to me because my parents knew how important it was to me and really supported me.

“They used to say it’s a good idea but who will listen to you, now they have passed away, it means a lot.

Mrs Steel added: “I hope and would like to see parents use the crossing because it is so much safer.”