A worried mum has launched a petition to improve safety in the Bulwark area of Helston, after her son fell off her scooter and was “very nearly hit” by a car.

However, Jo Morley claims this was by no means an isolated event, with traffic driving too fast in the area and incidences of cats being killed.

Ms Morley, from Bulwark Road, told the Packet: “There have been so many near misses. I’m not going to wait for one of the children round here to have a serious accident before someone does something.”

She said her 12-year-old son, Wyll, had been on his way home from Helston Community College on his scooter when he lost his footing as he went across the road.

“There was a car a foot behind him. The car didn’t stop. He said, ‘I thought I was going to die’,” said Ms Morley.

She has used this as an example on the Facebook page “Bulwark/Albion Road Safety Campaign” set up to promote the petition, saying: “My boy tripped on his scooter and was very nearly hit, and the car not even stopping to see if he’s ok.”

Ms Morley is urging everyone in the area, together with any who support the idea, to sign petitions that have been placed in the reception of Nansloe Academy and Helston Children’s Centre.

Headed under the “Bulwark/Albion Road Safety Campaign,” it states: “Road safety is of prime importance to the residents of the Bulwark area.

“We, as residents of the Bulwark area, call upon Cornwall Council (and the police) to address the issue of vehicles speeding in our neighbourhood, which is putting lives at risk.

“We call upon Cornwall Council to investigate various traffic calming measures, including better signage to help reduce the speed of vehicles in our neighbourhood.”

It is followed by the slogan “20’s plenty where people live”, referring to the belief that 20mph is a fast enough speed limit for the area.

Ms Morley said the school had no crossing patrols or speed humps slowing traffic down, and the sign that was there highlighting the school was hidden behind a tree.

“I’m not saying you can’t see it, but it’s not placed very clearly. That’s the same with a couple of speed signs around here.

“There’s a lot more that the council can do that’s not going to cost a fortune, to reduce the accidents,” she added.

Ms Morley would like to see at least two large, bright yellow “children at play” signs, as well as the repositioning of signposts containing the speed limits – plus anything else the council can offer.

“If I could pay for it myself, I would. Unfortunately I can’t, so I’ve had to go to them for help,” she said.

“They’ll wait for somebody to die before they do anything. Most schools have a physical thing to slow cars down – a lollipop lady and road ramps. We’re left with nothing; that’s how it feels.”

And it’s not just at school times that the problem arises, with Ms Morley adding: “There’s lots of children playing in these streets and something needs to be done before one of them is hurt or killed.”

In addition to Wyll, Ms Morley also has four other children – nine-year-old Holly, Lucy, seven, Ashley, five and three-year-old Jessie.

She has recently met with Nansloe headteacher Charles Field and Cornwall Councillor Andy Wallis, together with town councillor Aiden Harrison and prospective MP Derek Thomas, who have offered their support.