CAMPAIGNING parents are celebrating after winning their bid to install a pelican crossing to make sure children get safely to school.

As previously reported, mum-of-two Maria Hutchinson, 46, of Abbeyfields Close, Netley, collected a 941-signature petition and letters from children appealing for road authority Hampshire County Council to act.

This was after her daughter's 12-year-old friend was hit by a car on the road in October - raising fears among parents that a fatality was only a matter of time.

But following passionate deputation at a full council meeting, a fresh traffic survey was carried out that found that the road's level of traffic and pedestrians DID justify a crossing.

And now county bosses have agreed to financially back the crossing by helping meet the £91,000 price tag.

It comes after Eastleigh Borough Council said it would put up £50,000 toward the scheme.

Maria said: “I'm absolutely thrilled.

“I think it is one in the bag for the local community who came together.

“Everybody got behind the campaign and Hampshire County Council saw common sense.”

Among those backing the bid were Hound Parish Council, Eastleigh Borough Council, MP Mike Thornton and governors at Hamble Community Sports College and Netley Abbey Junior School.

Work would be expected to take place in September of this year, following a public consultation.

About 300 children must use Hound Way, which becomes Hound Road, to get to school from the Netley Abbey and Butlocks Heath areas.

Maria said that there have been numerous accidents and near-misses on the 40mph road, which is used by many students.

She said: “The start of senior school is a scary time for parents and children so to take fears over road safety out of the equations is brilliant.”

County council road boss, councillor Seán Woodward, said: “We hope to have the crossing installed in time for children going back to school in September, however this is a tight programme and we are still unsure of what utility cables lie underneath the crossing site but we will seek to avoid and minimise the risk of any unexpected delays.

“Walking to school is not only good for the students' health and wellbeing but also helps reduce traffic at peak times as parents are not having to drive their children to school, and I am very pleased we've been able to find a solution here.”