A primary school is campaigning for a zebra crossing after young pupils witnessed a teenage boy being hit by a car.

The crash, which happened in Ordnance Street, Chatham, on Tuesday, December 4, shocked pupils, staff and parents from St John’s C of E School, in adjacent New Street.

Emma Palmer, whose son attends St John’s, said: “It was quite a devastating and horrific thing to witness."

She added: “There’s nowhere safe on this road to cross.

“I am fearful when crossing the roads with my children - you have to look out round parked cars - there’s no designated area.

“But we’ve got to try and make a negative into a positive and make a change.”

The victim was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital for treatment to minor leg injuries.

Ordnance Street is a busy road, which leads into Chatham town centre, but despite being a route to four schools, there are no road safety provisions.

St John’s has set up an online and paper petition asking for a zebra crossing. It will be submitted to Medway Council on Thursday, February 14.

If the petition is successful, the crossing could benefit four schools: St John’s C of E, St John Fisher, Saint Michael’s RC Primary School and Nursery and Fort Pitt Grammar School

Pupils aged four to seven from St John’s campaigned outside their school with posters, and a Lego sculpture of a zebra crossing showing pedestrians being helped across the road by crossing officers.

Head teacher Jo Collman said: “We believe quite passionately that we need a crossing. The road is too busy. We need to slow the traffic down. There’s cars, taxis, buses that come speeding down.

“There’s definitely a speeding problem. I use that road everyday myself. It would be nice if there were speed humps and the children really want a lollipop lady.”

Medway Council said it would comment on the petition once it had been submitted.

If you would like to sign, click here.