THERE are hopes that a crossing patrol might be installed in the road where a schoolgirl was in collision with a car.

The mother of the 10-year-old who was struck on her way home from school wants to see a crossing installed on "dangerous" Elgin Street.

And this week, the chairman of governors at Oxford Grove Primary School raised hopes that the patrol might be put in.

Councillor Linda Thomas, a Labour Halliwell ward councillor, said the school's pupil council had previously asked the council for a lollipop lady in Elgin Street, but an official pedestrian and traffic survey showed the street was not busy enough to warrant one.

However since that time Oxford Grove Primary School has almost doubled in size as it has expanded into a two-form entry school.

Cllr Thomas said: "They have done another survey now and I think we would qualify for a school crossing patrol.

"I have asked the council department again to have another look. It is being taken very seriously.

"There is a freeze on recruitment at the council, but it may be in light of future cuts we have a policy that if we can't fund it ourselves perhaps we talk to schools about coming forward with their own funds.

"We're also looking at putting road markings on the corner of Shepherd Cross Street to make sure no one parks there."

The deputy leader of the council added: "I feel terribly upset the little girl had the accident.

"I don't believe there has been that many accidents there, but one child being knocked down is one too many."

It is understood the car was travelling at around 15mph when the girl was struck at the junction of Shepherd Cross Street.

The girl’s mother, who works at a nursery in Lostock and wishes not to be named, said: "That road desperately needs sorting out.

"It’s dangerous and it’s not the first time in recent months someone has been knocked down.

"Something really needs to be done because pupils from Oxford Grove and St Joseph’s Primary School walk home along that road every day.

"With cars lining the streets on either sides it reduces the children’s vision.

"They also can’t judge stopping times in bad weather conditions so even having someone there to cross them would be helpful.

"It took a split second for my daughter to be knocked down.

"Accidents happen but I would like to see something done about the road following her accident.

"Thank goodness she was only badly bruised. It could have been much more serious."

Her daughter was taken to Royal Bolton Hospital after the collision and is now recovering with bruising and a swollen leg.