THE mother of a six-year-old boy who was knocked down crossing a road in Woodhatch is supporting calls for a zebra crossing.
Bailey Wilkinson was walking home from a friend's house on Thursday last week when he was hit by a blue Smart car as he crossed Woodhatch Road at about 4.25pm.
He was taken to St George's Hospital in Tooting but is now home recovering from serious bruising.
He is the second child to be knocked down on the road in the past year.
Following the latest incident, nearby residents – whose children cross the road between the shops and Woodhatch Community Park – have launched a petition for a zebra crossing at the site.
In less than a week the campaign has already gained nearly 500 signatures.
Bailey's mother, Maria Smith, told the Mirror: "It is a big issue at the moment.
"It is ludicrous; this is the only place they can cross.
"It was absolute dread and devastation when I heard what had happened; I didn't know what was going on.
"Thankfully Bailey is recovering well now, but it could have been so much worse."
Since the petition launched on Friday it has already garnered 244 online signatures and about 250 on paper from residents going door-to-door and passing the petition around Sandcross School.
There is no pedestrian crossing by The Angel pub, despite crossings being installed on the A217 and Prices Lane, on the other side of the crossroads.
Steven Smith, 57, said: "I'm a grandfather and my children are back and forth from this park.
"I don't want someone to die before something is done here."
His daughter Stacey Smith, 33, said: "The children are taking their lives in their hands when they cross the roads. It is scary."
Last summer Tom Smith, 15, was knocked down crossing the same stretch of road.
He says children from nearby homes and schools use the park and, with summer coming, some parents fear the problem will only get worse.
Once the families have finished collecting signatures they will present the petition to Surrey County Council, which is responsible for our highways.
We asked the authority for a comment. It had not replied before we went to press.
To support the petition visit www.gopetition.com/peti tions/zebra-crossing-needed-in-woodhatch-by-park.html
