Road safety campaigners are stepping up pressure at Hopton, near Yarmouth, after a four-year-old narrowly escaped serious injury outside the school gates.

Road safety campaigners are stepping up pressure at Hopton, near Yarmouth, after a four-year-old narrowly escaped serious injury outside the school gates.

Hopton Primary School headteacher Corinne Roling has vowed to carry on battling for money for traffic-calming measures after the near miss involving Jack Howkins.

The near collision with a car has brought the issue of road safety during the school run into sharp focus after years of campaigning failed to move county hall officials, who say the road is not busy enough.

But Mrs Roling says the issue is now more pressing than ever, with the school poised to double in size over the next few years under re-organisation as it moves to become a full primary school.

Jack's mum Alison, of Lowestoft Road, Gorleston, said the lad, who has hearing problems, ran out without looking, triggering desperate cries from mums and bringing the motorist screeching to a halt. Although the car had not been speeding, many others reportedly do - putting the lives of children at risk.

Mrs Roling said because there was no accident history the county council would not fund any improvements at the school, which does not even have a lollipop crossing patrol. She said a cheap and simple solution would be to install a width restrictor, similar to the one at Gapton Hall, or at least some better signs telling motorists the school is there.

A campaign for a 20mph speed limit fell on deaf ears last year, with a county hall spokesman saying it was not a priority.

Norfolk County Council said it took the issue of road safety seriously and improvement measures, such as a school crossing patrol, designated crossing area and flashing warning lights had been put forward to the Highways Agency for consideration.