PLANS for a zebra crossing near a Hampstead Garden Suburb school have been met with fierce opposition by neighbours.

The Hampstead Garden Suburb Residents’ Association says it is considering helping fund a lollipop lady for Brookland Schools, in Hill Top, if the proposals are scrapped.

Members say the crossing would be disruptive, as it would reduce parking spaces and the orange beacons would be a nuisance at night.

But supporters say it comes down to a choice between children’s safety or parking spaces.

Gary Shaw, chairman of the residents’ association, said: “These proposals seem to have originated with some school parents which is ironic.

“It’s quite wrong that they should seek the 24 hour disruption to residents that a zebra crossing would cause when simple enforcement of the existing rules would solve the problem.”

Mr Shaw said the crossing is part of a “hugely intrusive scheme”, which includes the creation of an “enormous” 20mph zone between Ossulton Way and Brookland Hill.

But traffic is so congested at school times that not even half that speed is achievable, he added.

He added: “Even outside school times traffic averages a mere 23mph so the only effect of a reduced mandatory limit will be to criminalise residents every time they use their cars.”

Discussing the plans for a lollipop lady, he said: “That way the road will retain its character, the school’s neighbours will not have to suffer flashing lights all night long and parents will feel happier because their children are seen safely across the road.”

Loren Loeb lives two doors away from the school, and discovered the crossing would be directly outside her house.

She said: “My mother, who had a severe stroke a few years ago, is a frequent visitor and needs to be dropped off and picked up right outside my house.

“We can work around the existing zig zag lines which function for a short time but with a zebra crossing she would find it much harder to visit at all.

“Aside from that I would never be able to park anywhere near my house myself at any time of the day or night. I’d also have flashing lights outside my bedroom window all night long every day of the year.”

She said a lollipop lady would be “far more appropriate”.

But Yannik Read, spokesman for the ETA Trust, which campaigns on road safety, said: “We understand there is great pressure on parking around London. Parking spaces are at a premium, but unfortunately what it comes down to is a toss-up between the safety of children getting to school, and parking. And I think we have to come down on the side of the children.

“We think it is not unreasonable to have a zebra crossing outside the entrance of every school. While we understand it is frustrating to have parking spaces removed, it is for a very good reason – to stop children getting killed, and that is the bottom line.”

A spokesman for Barnet Council said: “The parking policy agreed late last year makes it clear that keeping our roads safe, especially for children in the borough, is a top priority.

"The plans to install a zebra crossing along with a 20 mph speed restriction outside of Brookland Junior School, reflect this priority and we’ve been in touch with the school and the Hampstead Garden Suburb Trust to make sure that we get the plans right.”

“As with all controlled crossings, there will be some loss of on street parking to ensure that driver’s visibility of children and other pedestrians using the crossing is not obstructed. We will be looking into using various methods to minimise light disturbances for residents in the area.”