THOUSANDS of residents who backed calls for urgent safety improvements at a zebra crossing after a girl was hit by a car are celebrating victory. 

Four-year-old Ella Heels, an Edwards Francis Primary School pupil, was hit by a car on Hockley Road, Rayleigh, last month and suffered third degree burns and facial injuries. 

She is facing six months in hospital as she undergoes treatment and the Rochford Lib Dems launched a petition calling for a crossing assistant to be employed as soon as possible. 

(Image: Amy Maria)

 


Yesterday, it was confirmed an assessment has been carried and Essex County Council will move towards recruiting a school crossing patrol officer. 

Councillor Michael Sutton visited the zebra crossing this week to speak to parents the petition exceeded 2,000 signatures. 

James Newport, Lib Dem leader of Rochford Council said: “I think it’s fantastic news that Essex County Council have decided to put a crossing patrol in there and it’s had huge public support. It’s just sad that it’s had to happen after such an horrific accident

“Hopefully it has made our roads safer and prevented any further incidents.

“I think it’s a first step and we need to look at whether or not other crossings are needed along that stretch.”

(Image: Michael Sutton)

 


Ella’s mum, Amy-Marie, had previously thrown her support behind the petition. 

The crossing is used daily by parents at Edward Francis Primary School, as well as pupils at the nearby FitzWimarc Secondary School. 

The councillors are also now campaigning to see a second crossing installed closer to FitzWimarc school. 

Mr Sutton said: “It feels great that our constituents’ needs are being met and that we have achieved in eleven days what a Conservative administration could not have achieved in 14 years.

“It just shows the power of community and what we can do.

“It’s a small victory in a very large wider problem, we’re now looking at the later stages to push for a pedestrian crossing to be installed.

“We're also looking to focus on parking around schools but this win shows that we’ve got the power to influence.”