Parents: Please don't make us say 'We told you so...'

A group of teachers, parents, staff, local residents and governors at the Vale First and Middle School in Vale Drive, Findon Valley, have joined forces to lobby the county council for action before there is a serious accident or fatality.

Maddy Richies, whose children go to the school and who lives in Findon Valley, said: "At the moment we have just been told signs will be put on the northbound and southbound carriageway of the A24 warning people that a school is nearby but that is not good enough.

"It is a residential area and it is such a dangerous road. Cars do go very fast. It is not just a problem for the children but for the rest of the community as well. We are not asking for a miracle.

"We don't want someone to die and there is a real danger of that happening with things as they are at the moment."

The group has drawn up a wish list of improvements, which include seeing:

l Speed on the A24 reduced from 40mph to 30mph

l Improvements to the pelican crossing

l Installation of a new crossing by the Lime Tree Doctors' Surgery

l Clear "School" signs posted along the road, as well as railings to be placed at the bottom of Vale Avenue.

l Improvements to safety on the slip road to stop motorists speeding

l Slow Down signs on Bost Hill

l Crossings installed at the Offington Roundabout

A spokesman for West Sussex County Council said transport officials were continuing to work with the school to prepare a travel plan and good progress was being made.

He said: "We are anxious that this should continue.

"Our officers have been attending meetings and some measures are already in hand.

The new school signs mentioned for the A24 north and south are on order and the green crossing time on the pelican has been extended.

"The general area will also benefit from a speed management scheme along the A24 Findon Valley, between the A27 Offington Corner roundabout and the A280 roundabout."

He said the scheme was due to start early April.