Parents demand safety improvements outside school

Norfolk Police has confirmed the 20mph limit is advisory, but bus operator First Eastern Counties says it will instruct drivers to always obey the sign when active

Parents are demanding safety improvements outside a village primary school following two incidents this month.

A 40mph (64km/h) limit is in place on the B1332 through Woodton, Norfolk, with signs and flashing lights denoting an advisory 20mph (32km/h) limit at the school at arrival/home time.

The first incident, on 6 June, involved a child walking to school using a footpath being clipped on the hand by a passing vehicle, with a bus and lorry colliding on Wednesday, 18 June.

Norfolk County Council said it had not received the data for the latest incidents and would monitor the situation, but there had been "previously no recorded incidents at this location over the last five years"

Parent Anna Scriven told the BBC: "Thankfully, no-one was injured on this occasion. However, it is a stark reminder of how quickly these incidents can occur and it only cements our fear as parents that the walk to school could be deathly dangerous."

Head teacher Dawn Thomas said the incidents had left parents "understandably shaken"

Head teacher Dawn Thomas said the first incident involved a 12-year-old boy where a "car clipped his hand and as a result he ended up in A&E".

"Luckily nothing was broken, however he was left with significant bruising and is traumatised," she said.

"A further incident happened on Wednesday morning. A bus collided with a lorry and they both lost their wing mirrors.

"Many of our families witnessed this and were understandably shaken."

Ms Thomas said a new housing estate would in future allow children to access the school via a new footpath, and in the meantime they had opened the school playground gates to help reduce risks.

John and Donna say their son Jesse (centre) was pushing his cycle on the footpath on his way to school when his hand was clipped by a passing car

Donna, whose son Jesse was hurt, said: "When my son told me his hand had been hit by a car... I was angry that the car never even stopped, because it should have.

"The speed along this road is absolutely horrendous on getting your children to school safely."

Dad John, who was escorting his boy to school, said: "He went 'ow' and he said 'the car has just hit me'. It could have been a lot worse."

The bus had to be taken out of service after losing a wing mirror, which also caused the driver's side window to shatter

Less than two weeks later parents witnessed the collision involving the X41 First Eastern Counties bus and a lorry, with both vehicles losing wing mirrors and the driver's side window on the bus smashing, causing a relief vehicle to be sent to continue the journey.

Ms Scriven said: "Remarkably there were no families walking on that stretch of pavement in that moment."

Norfolk Police said it was not aware of the incident.

First Eastern Counties Buses said: "The bus sustained limited damage, no injuries were reported and the vehicle was safely returned to depot for inspection.

"Safety remains our number one priority and the incident is being reviewed in line with our standard procedures."

Norfolk County Council said: "It's too early for the police to have shared any details regarding [the] incident.

"Our accident data shows there are previously no recorded incidents at this location over the last five years, but we will continue to monitor the situation and will take any necessary further action as required."