AN online petition has been launched to help improve road safety near primary schools in Swindon.

The campaign is calling for Swindon Borough Council to install new road safety traffic measures.

Nearly 150 people have signed it in the space of a week.

With the retirement of lollipop lady Syliva Dundas in the Westlea area, parents and local councillors have expressed concern about children’s safety walking to and from school.

The borough council is not planning to replace her.

Westlea parish councillor, Suresh Gattapur, who started the petition, said: “I decided to launch it following Miss Dundas’ retirement.

“Due to financial cuts the post won’t be replaced.

“This raised concerns among parents and action needs to be taken urgently.

“We can’t always hold children when they are crossing the road.”

Jenny Diana McDaniel, from West Swindon, said: “I agree that safety measures are needed.

“The parking outside Westlea Primary School is dangerous beyond belief and actually it seems that we have all forgotten the traffic loss of life on that stretch of road.

“I don’t live in Westlea, but I drive in to drop off children’s friends.

“When you have road calming some people get so impatient and try to nip through or park near it, so it becomes more of an obstacle.

“They park terribly and get so frustrated that when they manage to clear those obstacles, they are more likely to speed after.

She explained: “I signed the petition as children are exposed to so many dangers, getting to school doesn’t need to be one of them.”

Coun Gattapur stressed the importance of setting priority signage and road markings on Langston Way as well as white lines across Westlea Drive.

Mary Martin, cabinet member for children, said: “Westlea School drop-off and pick-up parking is often very inconsiderate.

“A resident came up with a suggestion to reduce rat running which could be quite low cost to implement and I have spoken to my cabinet colleague to see if this can be looked at.

“That is part of the petition as resident support is always helpful.

“We also want to look at the case for additional traffic calming on Westlea Drive and this will need to be considered as part of the wider programme across the borough.

In response to the petition a Swindon Borough Council spokesman said: “The council is not proposing to adopt the suggestions mentioned in the online petition.

“There have been no reported injury collisions on Langstone Way or Westlea Drive in the vicinity of the school and no prior concerns have been raised regarding the speed of vehicles on Westlea Drive to warrant road safety improvements.

“Westlea Drive is already subject to traffic calming measures in the form of speed cushions at regular intervals between Welton Road and Rivenhall Road.

He added: "Speeds on this particular road are low, forward visibility is good and there is a defined crossing point for parents to use with their children.”