Parents have spoken of their relief after work begun to install a crossing outside a school following a community campaign.

Campaigners called for a zebra crossing outside of Nightingale Primary School in Ashbourne Avenue, South Woodford, following several near misses.

The crossing costing £45,000, was agreed at an Area 2 committee meeting just days before the committees were abolished by Redbridge Council. 

Mother-of-three Jennifer Campbell, 44, of Cadogan Gardens, South Woodford, led the community campaign after her daughter Charlotte, seven, was almost hit by a car when a van blocked the view of oncoming traffic.

She said: "This has been a long-time coming. People have been complaining about their children’s' safety outside of Nightingale's for 20 years. 

"It was only a matter of time before a child was seriously injured. I genuinely hope this stops people parking illegally and driving dangerously.

"I kept the councillors honest and they made good of their promise. This is a victory for common sense and for the campaign group."

The road has undergone several changes in the last 12 months, including speed humps being installed and parking restrictions introduced with single yellow lines outside of the school gates. 

Headteacher Caz Langbridge, of Nightingale Primary, said: "The safety of pupils is always of paramount priority to Nightingale Primary and we welcome the new zebra crossing as we would any efforts that are made to increase the safety of pupils and residents in the area.

"We always encourage our students to be aware of traffic and to cross roads safely and this extra facility will help to ensure that they are able to do just that."

Liberal democrat councillors Gwyneth Deakins and Ian Bond, of Roding ward, supported the parents in their campaign. 

Ms Deakins said: "I am delighted Nightingale Primary School has a crossing at last and we were able to respond positively to local concerns. 

"Area 2 voted this through using funds from the Community Infrastructure Levy. Now that we are without these committees, it will be almost impossible to do this elsewhere."

The zebra crossing will be completed in two weeks.