PARENTS are demanding road safety action after a boy was hit by a car while walking to school.

Dawn Hughes is campaigning for a pedestrian crossing on Clay Lane, Beaminster, after her son, Archie, was taken to hospital on Monday morning after the collision.

Last month, Beaminster Town Council’s appeal for a crossing was rejected by Dorset County Council. Now parents from Beaminster St Mary’s Academy have set up a petition and are campaigning for “a joined up approach to children’s road safety”.

Ms Hughes said: “The oncoming vehicle was slowing down due to poor visibility around the area. My son thought the car was slowing down for him and stepped out onto the road to again get a clear picture for any opposite vehicles coming other way.

“There were large vehicles parked either side reducing his own visibility. Very often you have to step out to get a clear view of the road as there are no road markings to stop vehicles parking there.”

She added: “He suffered cuts and bruises to his lower back and arms, he’s jolted his neck and pulled many muscles in his body.

“He’s been extremely uncomfortable the last couple of days and has hardly slept due to his injuries and also dreaming about the accident itself. It’s really knocked his confidence and he has become quite anxious around crossing the roads. I think something urgently needs to be done to keep our children and other members of the public safe.”

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A spokeswoman from Dorset County Council said the authority is “liaising with the school and town council regarding safety”.

Parent and campaigner Rachel Hayball, described the incident as “absolutely horrific”.

She added: “It makes me really cross. I understand that Dorset County Council has a budget, but the formula does not look at the individuals. How much is a child’s life worth? “Beaminster needs looking at as it’s not at all pedestrian or child friendly.”

Parents are also calling for the lollipop crossing patrol, which was stopped in 2010, to be reinstated.

Carolyn Emett said: “When the school crossing patrol came to an end, a group of staff and mums campaigned to get a crossing put in, or for the patrol to be re-instated. Neither of these options were permitted as the equation that the county council were using said that the road wasn’t dangerous enough.

“This town needs a joined up approach to children’s road safety. Roads are getting fuller and cars are getting faster and quieter - we need to take action now.”

The campaign has also won the backing of the school.

Headteacher Teri Goodinson said pupil safety is “paramount”.

She added: “Taking into account the volume of traffic, particularly in the morning, a pedestrian crossing in Clay Lane would seem a perfectly reasonable request.

“We understand the parents’ concerns. We are just thankful that on this occasion no-one was seriously hurt.”

South West Ambulance Service Trust was called at 8.37am and took Archie to Dorset County Hospital as a precaution. Police were also called to the scene and confirmed no-one had been arrested.

To support the petition, visit change.org/p/mike-harries-give-beaminster-school-children-a-safe-school-crossing