PARENTS in Blackwood claim it is only a matter of time before a child is knocked over on a busy road through the town.

A group of parents with children at Libanus Primary School have got together to organise a petition calling for the council to install a pedestrian crossing on Libanus Road as soon as possible.

Children have to cross the road several times a day, and as it is the main road into the town it is constantly busy, the parents say. The problem is compounded by the school being without a lollipop lady since November.

A replacement is unlikely to be found soon because Caerphilly council currently have problems filling such vacancies.

Ann Hardacre, aged 49, from Thorncombe Road, Black-wood, who walks her eight-year-old granddaughter Amy to school every day, is helping to organise the petition.

She said: "It's a very dangerous road. The traffic doesn't seem to stop and allow you to cross the road.

"You often see kids in the middle of the road having crossed one lane, waiting for a break in traffic to cross the other lane.

"I don't like crossing it myself and it is only a matter of time before somebody gets hurt."

Blackwood councillor Kevin Etheridge said: "Safety of children is paramount within this area and I have been writing to the council on a continuous basis who I understand are looking for a replacement lollipop lady."

He added: "I think it is an accident waiting to happen. We do need a permanent presence outside the school."

A spokesman for Caerphilly council said: "We welcome any petition and will consider the requests of the residents when it is submitted to the council."

The petition is due to be presented at the next meeting of full council on March 4.