A GROUP of concerned parents from around Knutsford are urging people to sign a road safety petition to protect local children from dangerous driving.

Sadie Sherran, a mother-of-two from Mobberley Road, drew up the petition after numerous reports of near-misses outside Knutsford schools, including one lady who drove past on a mobile phone and another driver going the wrong way down a one-way road.

The petition has already caught the attention of almost 200 people, so far gaining just short of the amount of signatures needed to take it to Cheshire East Council.

Sadie wants to campaign for stricter road restrictions and better road safety in a number of school neighbourhoods including Bexton, Egerton, Yorston Lodge, St Vincent’s and Manor Park.

She said: “I think road safety is a discussion we need to have. It would be ideal to have speed bumps put in, or a zebra crossing. People also need better education about road safety, especially around schools.

“This isn’t just one person’s responsibility. If we throw loads of ideas at it then one or two have to stick.

“I don’t want to make demands of the council, or make them feel bullied, this is not my aim. I want to show them how important it is. The whole point of the petition is to persuade them to want to do something about it.”

Sadie’s petition has also gained the support of Independent town councillor, Charlotte Greenstein, who was voted in in this year’s election.

Cllr Greenstein of Norbury Booths ward, said: “I ran for council because I am a parent in Knutsford and for three years I have become increasingly concerned about the speed in which cars drive past schools and through the town.

“The petition is great, it does mean that more and more people are feeling worried about this issue, which I think is a sign something needs to be done. “

“I will be doing everything I can to make Knutsford’s roads safer, particularly during rush hour and schools runs.”

“The first thing I would like is all school areas to be made a 20 miles per hour zone and to introduce speed indicators and flashing lights to remind drivers that they are in a school zone.

“I will carry on pushing for all of this.

Cllr Greenstein is also urging local residents and parents who witness any incidents of dangerous driving to report them immediately to Cheshire Constabulary’s non-emergency line on 101.

To view the petition, visit http://chn.ge/1A6CPJD