A Keighley mother has called for more action by Oakbank School to protect students walking to and from the site.

Sarah Crabtree is supporting efforts by the Keighley school and local shopkeeper David Mortimer for either a pavement or crossing on Ingrow Lane.

But she claims the school should explore alternative measures to reduce danger from traffic in and around the school entrance.

Mrs Crabtree, whose children Eboni, 12, and Nathan, 14, attend Oakbank School, has made several suggestions for improvements.

These include building a turning circle for parents’ cars inside the school grounds, providing a new pedestrian entrance away from the sports centre driveway, and fencing off the car park so students cannot walk near vehicles.

The problem concerns students going in and out of school via the Oakbank Sports Centre entrance, on the top stretch of Ingrow Lane.

In response to the danger, the school recently banned students from using the entrance at lunchtimes, badly affecting business at nearby Bracken Bank Stores which is run by Mr Mortimer.

A petition organised by Mr Mortimer has already attracted 150 signatures from people calling for a footpath along Ingrow Lane to be extended between the junctions of Bracken Bank Avenue and Oakworth Road. Mr Mortimer this week said he intended to start an online petition to make it easier for people to express support.

He said: “I urge residents and parents of children who use Oakbank School or the skate park to add their support.”

Mrs Crabtree said the main danger times were before and after school as parents parked on Ingrow Lane to drop off and collect children.

She said: “I have to stop my car several times as kids walk on the road.”

Oakbank School head David Maxwell said: “We encourage parents to make as many suggestions as possible to make the entrances of our school safe.”