A campaign to provide pedestrian crossings for all schools in Haringey has divided parents.

There are 41 schools in Haringey that do not have a crossing within 80 metres and Haringey Council's Liberal Democrat opposition has launched an initiative to change that.

But parents are split on whether dedicated pedestrian crossings will improve safety for children travelling to and from school.

Sengul Gunay, 40, of Amhurst Park and her son Huseyin, eight, walk to Woodberry Down Community Primary School every day.

Mrs Gunay said: “I don’t think crossings would make it any safer, I walk my son to school every day and pick him up afterwards because the roads are so dangerous.

"People are always jumping the lights and banging into each other in their cars so I feel it’s safer if I walk with him.”

Some parents feel dedicated crossings, particularly zebra crossings, can be very useful and increase safety for children travelling to school.

Jade Clarke, 31, of Spencer Road, Tottenham, finds school crossings useful for her and her son Prince, four, who attends St Mary’s CE Junior School on Church Lane, Hornsey.

She said: “I definitely think it makes it safer to have a crossing near the school. I always use the crossing on the high street if I need to get to the Rectory Gardens site.

Tottenham Independent:

"It’s quicker, easier and safer and I think that would be the case if all schools had one nearby. When I cross roads with Prince I usually like to use zebra crossings as they feel safer.”

Maxine Saunders, 30, of Hermiston Avenue, Crouch End, has two children attending different schools in the borough and feels zebra crossings are both good and bad for road safety. She said: “In most cases zebra crossings are better but the problem is kids think drivers will definitely stop and they can just run out and be safe.

Tottenham Independent:

"In reality, fewer and fewer people are stopping at crossings near schools because it’s so manic during the school run. I think having a lollipop lady helps make it safer.”

The Lib Dems feel crossings closer to schools will increase safety for school children.

Councillor Liz Morris said: “In Haringey we have too many schools where pedestrian crossings are either too far away from the schools or the crossings themselves are poorly sited or laid out - and this puts our children at risk.

“Labour-run Haringey Council must prioritise road safety around schools and we are calling on residents and the schools themselves to support our campaign.”

The council currently assesses road safety needs for schools on a case-by-case basis.

A Haringey council spokesman said: “We work closely with schools to draw up schemes that ensure pupils are able to travel safely.

“These vary depending on the needs of the school and include a range of measures such as zebra crossings, speed humps and 20mph zones.

Plans to introduce a 20mph limit on roads with schools, which we are proposing to introduce later this year, will also help to make children’s journeys even safer.

We are always happy to look at installing extra measures if a school asks us to.”