YOUNGSTERS have added their voice to hundreds calling for action to improve safety on a road that they will soon have to cross to get to school.

Pupils at Netley Abbey Junior School, who were too young to sign a 941-strong petition, have instead written personal letters to Hampshire transport chiefs pleading with them to look at installing a pelican crossing on a road in Netley Abbey.

They were inspired to write having heard about mother-of-two Maria Hutchinson’s campaign to get the county council to look at further safety measures for Hound Way, which becomes Hound Road.

Maria, 46, of Abbeyfields Close, collected their 24 letters to add to the petition she handed in at a recent council meeting where she spoke on the issue.

Her campaign was prompted after Maria’s daughter’s 12-year-old friend was hit by a car on the road in October.

She says that there have been numerous accidents and near-misses on the 40mph road, which is used by many students to get to Hamble Community College.

Although there is a courtesy crossing with a dropped kerb and bollards, Maria – whose children Emma, 11, and James, 14, attend the college – said that this is ineffective as some students still try to cross the road elsewhere.

Maria explained that these were the children who would in a couple of years’ time have to face crossing this road.

“I would like to think that when Cllr Woodward reads the letters it will really strike a chord that these aren’t statistics or numbers we’re talking about, these are real children,” she said.

In her letter, Anna Vargeson, 10, said: “There are many children living in fear of being injured or even killed in a car accident on Hound Road.”

Ten-year-old Harris Oldroyd said in his letter: “The pupils that cross regularly are worried and risk their lives day after day just to go to school but it is not just the pupils that are worried, the younger children can never see themselves crossing in their life.”

Freya Alden-Dennis said in hers: “Even small children feel anxious with their older siblings using the road. Our MP is not happy and neither are we.

“To end this crisis, I feel a pelican crossing is essential. Take action quickly before a child is killed and you are frowned upon.

“It could change your reputation forever.”

Economy, transport and environment boss Cllr Seán Woodward says he has asked for a full investigation on the road to find out whether the requirements for a crossing were met.