MOTHERS in Outwood have joined forces to take action before a child is killed.

Within the past few weeks four youngsters have been knocked down on Outwood Road, and parents fear it is only a matter of time before there is a fatality.

Now, the worried mums have launched a campaign to persuade Bury Council roads chiefs to address the problem.

The local authority is already planning action which should help ease the trouble.

Residents are demanding a crossing and safety signs in an effort to dramatically cut the speed of motorists using the area. A petition is circulating in the Outwood Road area and so far the organisers are both encouraged and delighted by the backing they have received from other parents.

Mother-of-four Miss Tracy Skelly (31) of Woodley Avenue is leading the campaign which is calling for a crossing on the road.

She said: "Cars speed along and I fear for my children's safety. They have to cross the road to get to the park and the community centre."

Besides speeding traffic, cars parked outside the shops increase the danger for children trying to cross the road.

Miss Skelly, along with other concerned parents is currently collecting a petition for a zebra crossing and "Slow Down" signs.

She said: "Everyone feels the same. At the end of the day children round here are not safe and we want something done about it. There are traffic lights on the road, but they are right down at the end which is no use."

Miss Skelly said she was pleased with the response to the petition. "People in the houses we have visited so far have supported us."

A Bury Council engineering department spokesman said: "We have got a local safety scheme proposed for the area which will address part of the residents' concerns.

"We are looking to put in some carriageway markings and colour surface treatment in that area and hopefully that will be done within the next few months."

He added: "There is an issue about crossing facilities and once we receive the petition, we will consider that very carefully."