OVERGROWN hedges are becoming a serious danger to the safety of children walking to school, a mum has claimed.

Bushes on both sides of Hatfield Road in Witham have become overgrown, restricting visibility.

The pavements are used by mums taking their children to Chipping Hill Primary School as well as residents walking to the nearby Aldi superstore.

On June 30, a 12-year-old boy was taken to hospital with a serious head injury after being hit by a car on the road.

Vicky O’Connor, from Augustine Way, walks along the road to take her daughter to reception class at the school.

She said: “Really the issue stems from before the accident happened.

“The hedges are overgrown and there is no pavement at points.

“To see what is coming you have stick your head into the road.”

“A number of people have complained to Essex County Council because it is quite clearly a danger.

“I cannot believe someone was hit there and they are not marking it as urgent.”

The road is just off the A12 and the council have also installed cables to monitor drivers’ speeds.

Mrs O’Connor believes a crossing is needed and plans have been submitted for one to be installed towards Aldi using funds from the developer.

Whilst the council have acknowledged the problem and are conducting feasibility studies into a crossing, Mrs O’Connor and other mums could face a long wait before action is taken.

According to the council the area does not meet the criteria for a school crossing patrol either.

Mrs O’Connor said: “The hedges are just a short term fix, the crossing is the most important issue.”

“There is only a little tiny island in the middle of the road.

“They have admitted to me that it needs a crossing, but they are still doing a number of surveys.”

A spokesman for Essex Highways said: “We are sorry to hear of this incident and wish the young boy a complete and quick recovery.

“There is a local agreement in place for verge cutting which was carried out on the road induring the last few weeks.

“Hedge-cutting in this situation is the responsibility of the landowner.

“We will be speaking to residents about hedge maintenance.”