A PLEA has been launched to find a replacement crossing guard after road bosses decided to temporarily move the safety measure away from a school just yards away from where children have been killed in car crashes.

There will be no crossing patrols across Layer Road, Colchester, from Friday to help pupils and their parents to nearby Iceni Academy and other schools in the area.

It is understood Essex County Council are short of crossing guards, and a site in Stanway has been deemed a higher priority area for a lollipop man to patrol.

Road bosses are hoping a replacement will eventually be put in place on Layer Road, and suggested volunteers could take on the role in the mean time.

In 2008, Jordan Bell, 14, was killed crossing the road while walking to her home in Littlefield Road.

Her mother Michelle, who is also a driving instructor, criticised the decision to take away the guard from the pedestrian crossing.

She said: "I'm totally shocked.

"The amount of people I see who drive along there and do not stop at the pedestrian crossing is huge.

"They only stop because there is a lollipop man there.

"There is going to be another disaster.

"Drivers come out of the estate and just swing round without stopping.

"There are so many kiddies going back and forth on the crossing.

"The children from the school campaigned for the speed signs to go in because the council were not going to do it."

Alexander Ramsdale-Launder, 13, died after his bike was collision with a bus on the road in 2007.

Mother Natalie Launder said: "If it goes then they are unlikely to replace it.

"It is such a fast road and the crossing guard is one of the only safety measures in place.

"It would be a ludicrous decision with the schools in the area growing."

Training for full-time crossing patrol wardens can take up to 12 weeks but a rota of volunteers could be set up in the meantime.

The news comes as charity Living Streets urged council bosses to make school routes safer during Walk to School Week last week.

County councillor for the area Dave Harris (Lab) has agreed to take on some volunteering shifts and urged anyone else interested in the role who has already passed their disclosure and barring service checks to contact him on 07816168858.

Iceni Academy have also been asked to see if they can find volunteers.

Vacancies are set to be discussed next week and Mr Harris said: "Both areas are high priority but I am going to lobby the cabinet member to get a crossing guard at Layer Road.

"I am going to offer my services to volunteer but will not be able to do all of the shifts.

"I understand there can be difficulties in terms of the numbers but there needs to be a crossing patrol on Layer Road."

The council's education boss Ray Gooding (Con) said: "School crossing patrols are prioritised according to national guidelines and where vacancies do arise, cover is provided at the highest priority sites.

“The crossing patrol officer at Layer Road has been relocated to another site where there is no existing pedestrian crossing.

“Unfortunately we continue to have difficulty recruiting school crossing patrol officers.

"However, we are currently exploring options for the Layer Road site and are working with both the infant and junior schools to see if we can find a community volunteer.

“If anyone is interested, please contact the schools.”