PROTESTERS gathered to show their anger at speeding motorists near a primary school in Kendal.

Parents, teachers, councillors and Tim Farron MP joined the protests aimed at stopping motorists speeding and mounting the pavement on Gillinggate near Ghyllside Primary School.

The issue has been brewing for many years as the narrow road, used as a cut-through by many commuters, is struggling to cope with the high volume of traffic.

Laura Blamire, 34, who lives on Gillinggate and fears for the safety of her children, aged six and eight, has started a petition to introduce traffic calming measures. It already has more than 200 signatures.

"I think it's an accident waiting to happen," said Laura.

"The worst thing would be if a child was involved when a car mounted the kerb. I'm trying to mitigate that before it happens. It's getting to the point where we need an intervention."

Every day hundreds of children walk to Ghyllside Primary School along Gillinggate.

Mark Woodburn, headmaster at Ghyllside Primary, said: "Having just managed to reinstate our Crossing Patrol Officer, we are still very concerned about the speed of some traffic going up and down Gillinggate. We realise many people use Gillinggate as a short cut in and out of Kendal and hope that the range of traffic calming measures throughout the town will help to alleviate the situation. As ever, the safety of all children is our priority."

Phil Dixon, councillor for Highgate, said: "A lot of cars go up the pavement and some look as though they're going about 50mph. I have spent a lot of time canvassing for votes and I have never been so universally welcomed like I was with this."

The protest was attended by Tim Farron MP who said that he was in 'support of the campaign' and confirmed that he 'will be pressing the County Council to look at what can be done to make people safe'.

TWO councillors have handed in a petition for a safe crossing on Gillinggate, Kendal, signed by residents from every property on the road.

District councillor Philip Dixon and town councillor Keith Bracey presented the petition to Cumbria County Council’s Local Committee for South Lakeland on Tuesday.

Coun Dixon said: “The petition is open-ended because we feel expert opinion is needed rather than our thoughts.

“One resident said she was scared to death letting her children walk up there because of motorists speeding and mounting the kerb between Anchorite Fields and the school.”