A CAMPAIGNING mother is angry that Newport council has rejected an appeal for a new school crossing despite a 527-signature petition backing the call.

Carol Ley, 29, of Hammond Drive, Newport, is unhappy there is no crossing facility on Cromwell Road for youngsters travelling to St Andrew's School between Keene Street and Henson Street. Calming measures and 20mph signs already exist on the road, but Ms Ley claims these are often ignored.

"Cars come speeding down and some drivers just don't seem to care," said Ms Ley.

"There are often vans parked along there, too, making it difficult to see when crossing.

"It is only a matter of time before a child or a pensioner gets hurt." Ms Ley has four children who attend the school, and was prompted to start the campaign after her younger son, five-year-old Sonny Hawkins, was almost hit by a car.

With the backing of New Somerton Residents' Association, she started a petition calling for a pedestrian crossing, obtaining signatures from parents, local businesses and teachers.

But despite handing it to Newport city council in January, she did not get a response until five months later, when she was told there were no plans to introduce a crossing.

"I was told the calming measures were sufficient and local businesses would object to a new crossing," said Ms Ley.

"But there are only two businesses there, a baker's and a hairdresser's, and we have their support."

Crossing patrol wardens operate at the nearby St Patrick's school, but according to Ms Ley, youngsters at St Andrew's would have to add ten minutes to their journey to use them.

A council spokeswoman said the traffic-calming measures were introduced as part of a review in 2002/2003.

"As part of this process the benefits of providing a zebra/pelican crossing at some point on Cromwell Road were assessed.

"However, it was evident that due to its nature and the presence of numerous other residential streets situated along its length, there was no single location, which would prove of assistance to the majority of the residents of the Cromwell Road area.

"Consequently the existing pedestrian crossings were renewed, with speed cushions being provided adjacent to them as a means of regulating vehicle speeds.

"Footway promontories were also constructed on both sides of Cromwell Road, adjacent to its junction with Lilburne Drive on the Keene Street side."