School crossings are needed more than ever after two “near misses” involving children, according to a worried parent.

A petition was launched online three months ago calling on council chiefs to install zebra crossings outside Riverview Junior and Riverview Infant schools in Gravesend.

With the deadline fast approaching, a little over 200 people have signed it. At least 1,000 signatures are needed to trigger any council debate.

Tracy Lindridge, 38, told the Messenger in March she feared someone could die if nothing was done to deal with inconsiderate parking and driving issues.

According to the mum-of-two, of Vanessa Walk, the need is now greater than ever and is urging other parents and residents to support the petition on Kent County Council’s website before it is too late.

She said: “There have since been two near misses in Marling Way involving children. The third child may not be so lucky.

“The incidents were in the morning and involved cars double parking. People are parking in dangerous manners around the schools and letters have been sent to parents asking them to be considerate and to take care.”

The two school buildings occupy the same site but use different entrances via St Francis Avenue and Marling Way.

Neither school has a lollipop patrol officer and the petition states crossings are needed “for safety purposes” as both entrances are “currently hazardous and unmanned”.

As far back as 2013, the Messenger reported that driving and parking issues outside the schools were “dangerous and absolute bedlam”.

Some pupils even took on the role of junior parking officers, only to be verbally abused.

Campaigners fighting against the proposed new river crossing east of Gravesend have also warned that if it goes ahead traffic problems will increase as motorists will use Riverview Park as a rat run.

Mrs Lindridge and her husband, Mark, have a child at each of the schools.

At the time the petition was set up, the school said it shared parents’ concerns and hoped a solution could be found to a situation which was “occasionally putting children in serious danger.”

To sign, go to bit.ly/1M94Cts before May 31.