A SCHOOL and MP have joined forces to call for urgent action to be taken to improve safety at a crossing before someone is killed.

Staff at Quilters Junior School, in Laindon Road, Billericay, say the pedestrian crossing outside the school has seen a number of minor accidents as well as near misses and are calling for it to be made safer.

They claim many motorists travelling along the road after leaving the Sun Corner roundabout fail to notice the crossing before it’s too late.

The school’s headteacher Michael Wade and Basildon and Billericay Tory MP John Baron are demanding urgent action before someone is seriously hurt.

The pair recently held a meeting with Chris Stoneham, from Essex County Council’s highways team, to discuss what can be done.

The authority is considering safety measures, including putting up better signs to warn drivers the crossing is there.

A petition has also been set up to support the call for safety measures to be put in place.

Mr Baron said: “There have been a number of near-misses at the London Road crossing which have involved parents and children and one or two accidents.

“We were therefore grateful Chris Stoneham from Essex Highways met with us to discuss our concerns, which included a visit to the crossing.

“Essex Highways is now going to look at a range of measures to improve its visibility.

“The worry is, some drivers see the crossing too late, particularly when coming off the roundabout.

“It could be much better highlighted in both directions.

“If this fails, other measures will be considered. We must act before there is a fatality.”

Mr Wade added: “Like a great many of my parents, I have grave concerns about the roundabout on Sun Corner. I am aware of numerous near misses involving pupils at my school.

“There could easily be a fatal accident.

“I am very positive that through our petitions and our community action we can find a solution that enhances the safety of the 900-plus children who use that roundabout and the surrounding crossings every day.”