The council is being called on to avoid a tragedy by putting a pedestrian crossing on an “unsafe” road close to three schools.

Almost 300 people have signed a petition calling for road safety measures on Friern Barnet Lane to protect hundreds of children at nearby Alma Primary School, St John’s Primary and Queenswell Infant and Nursery School.

Their fears were underlined last Thursday (May 17) when a car drove over the pavement and smashed through the wall of St John the Apostle’s church hall just ten minutes before the end of the school day.

Martin Blaine, who lives on Walmington Fold, has two children, Juliet and Sebby, at Alma Primary School.

He said: “There are two primary schools there, with literally hundreds of children going there every day. I am terribly worried – the council needs to act.

“This is a road that links Whetstone with Muswell Hill. It is very unsafe. Cars come down and they have already reached 30 miles per hour when they get to Alma.

“A couple of months ago, a driver went down and ripped the door of our car off completely. It was out of action for a month while they fixed that.

“Some weeks later our wing mirror was smashed in a similar incident, this time a hit-and-run. I am sure lots of people have had damage to their vehicles.

“It would be a terrible shame if something happened and a tragedy occurred. Sometimes you think there needs to be a tragedy before people act.”

The petition was set up a mere two days before the latest incident in which a car drove into the church hall wall.

As well as a pedestrian crossing, residents are calling for a usable pavement outside The Three Horseshoes Pub and traffic calming measures where High Road meets Friern Barnet Lane.

To sign the petition, visit: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/safety-measure-for-pedestrians-at-the-junction-of-frien-barnet-lane-and-high-road-a1000