Parents fear for children's safety after a new school was denied a crossing, while another less than two miles away has been granted one.

Matt Ralph, whose two daughters attend Hurst Park Primary School, West Molesey, was unhappy the transport plan drawn up by Surrey County Council did not include an extra crossing point for the nursery and primary age children.

He said: "It is plain in neglecting a quarter (or more) of the children from safely crossing the busy Hurst Road (10 accidents in 10 years on this stretch) as it does not include a safe pedestrian crossing.

"Therefore the transport plan fails, and is ineffective. Less than two miles away on the same road, Grovelands Primary, has been given its own zebra crossing."

Kim Divey, headteacher, said: “The children’s safety is of paramount importance and the school strongly supports any proposal which effectively promotes their safety.”

But Mr Ralph believes the Highway Department needs to allocate funds from its budget to rectify the safety issue.

A county council spokesman said: "The safety of our children is our top priority and after close inspection of the area we believe the several pedestrian islands that are currently used by pupils and parents on a daily basis ensure the safety of pedestrians crossing the road."

The school serves 210 pupils, with a nursery on site catering for 30 children, but is expanding and moving to a new site 0.5km away.

Mr Ralph said: "It is a matter of time before a child is injured on the road and at present those in authority are turning a blind eye to the problems."

The school was not available for comment.