A DERBY mum says her six-year-old daughter was lucky to escape serious injury or even death in a collision with a car outside her Sinfin school.

The incident happened as parents from Grampian Primary School campaign to get more traffic-calming measures in the area.

Keisha Marie Smith was leaving the school with mum Barbara Hall when she dashed out between parked cars.

She was hit by a car and went flying over its bonnet but emerged unscathed.

There are no zig-zag lines warning drivers not to park outside the school and no safe crossing area – which parents are demanding.

Mrs Hall said: "I can't believe she wasn't injured or even killed.

"This was the latest in a number of incidents involving cars, cyclists and children outside the school because traffic speeds so much and there is nowhere to cross.

"We have been campaigning to get a crossing, but nothing ever seems to happen."

Parents have previously handed a petition to Derby City Council asking for a crossing or crossing patrol warden.

The school has also drawn up a travel plan which highlights the need for zig-zag lines on Grampian Way outside the school, signs advertising the school's presence and a metal guard rail to prevent children dashing out into the road.

The city council has told parents and the school it cannot afford to provide any of these safety measures.

There is a nearby underpass but many parents do not use it as it is frequently flooded and in a poor state of repair.

Head teacher Chris Perkins said: "It's curious that the school has none of the usual traffic-calming measures that other schools seem to have.

"I can understand why parents won't use the underpass. It is in an appalling state, full of used needles and glass.

"I am amazed Keisha was unscathed but we need to get something done before anything worse happens.

"We have been working on a travel plan and hopefully some money will be available to get things improved."

If the school is able to get money for its travel plan, it will be unable to do anything with it to improve the road outside the school.

The money would have to be used to alter paths or create a pedestrian shelter at the school.

But Stan Werbinski, of the city council's road-safety unit, said he was hopeful that other money could be found to improve road safety in the area.

He said: "We have to get the travel plan approved by the Government and then the Safer Routes to School forum will look at what issues need resolving.

"We did look at having a school crossing patrol person but the road did not meet the criterion for having one.

"Although we don't have money yet, we are aware of the problems in the area of the school and will look at how to resolve them."