A school in Nailsea is appealing for drivers to slow down after a number of near misses.

North Somerset Times: St Francis Primary School launches campaign for road safety measures.St Francis Primary School launches campaign for road safety measures. (Image: Archant)

St Francis Primary School has launched a campaign to improve road safety following reports of drivers speeding and using mobile phones.

The school, in Station Road, has launched its appeal to coincide with Brake’s national road safety week and it is appealing for North Somerset Council to install road safety measures.

Mother-of-two Siobhan Hallmark said: “Unlike many schools, we have nothing to help our children cross a busy main road and although cars are supposed to slow down to 20mph at these crucial times, very few actually do.

“We are appealing to all road users to drive more responsibly when passing our school. There are far too many near misses and many of us feel that it isn’t a case of if there will be an accident, but when.”

North Somerset Times: Police are backing calls for road safety measures outside St Francis School.Police are backing calls for road safety measures outside St Francis School. (Image: Archant)

The school had a crossing patrol until 2013 but funding has now been withdrawn by North Somerset Council.

Headteacher Caroline Hostein said: “We have launched an initiative to encourage our children and their families to embrace road safety and we have been working with the police to educate our pupils on road safety and to monitor road users.

“We are appealing to North Somerset to prioritise our children’s safety. We need better signage, road markings and a safer place for children to cross.”

A council spokesman said: “We are working with St Francis to deliver road safety education and training as well as encourage more walking, cycling and car sharing. We will be supporting the school to update their travel plan and progress towards the national Modeshift STARS award.”