KEIGHLEY mothers are refusing to give in after their request for a lollipop lady was turned down by Bradford Council.

Parents of Eastwood Primary School pupils had gathered 300 signatures on a petition calling for a crossing patrol in busy Lawkholme Lane.

They argued it would be of particular benefit to children walking to the school from their homes in Showfield.

The district council refused the parents’ initial request after a recent survey showed most children crossing the road were accompanied by their parents.

However, mothers say the Lawkholme Lane request should be treated as a special case due to a number of factors not taken into account by council researchers.

The campaign is being supported by Councillor Kaneez Akthar, who represents Keighley Central ward on Bradford Council. She has asked for the petition to be discussed at a meeting of Bradford Council.

Cllr Akthar said parents had explained to her the survey last December had not accounted for several important points.

Just before the survey, the school had raised concerns about the traffic dangers, prompting more parents to either walk or drive their children to school.

Cllr Akthar added: “The vision from the street is blocked due to the narrowness of Lawkholme Lane, as well as the road having a slight bend.

“Pedestrians with children have also struggled crossing the road as both sides have parked vehicles, which hinder their vision of oncoming traffic. This has led to a number of near-misses.”

The petition calls for measures to be implemented to help pupils and families reach school without risk of injury or death. Parents said there were about six near-misses each week involving pupils.

The petition states: “Eastwood Primary School has put many measures in place to help ensure the safety of pupils, including raising road safety awareness.

“The vast majority of pupils crossing this road are now accompanied by an adult due to the dangers, or are brought to school by car, which is causing congestion in Victoria Avenue and further road safety issues.”

The school has asked Police Community Support Officers and street wardens to carry out random monitoring.

No one from Bradford Council was available for comment.