A HEADTEACHER has won a campaign for pedestrian barriers near his school after a parent was hit by a bus.

Christopher Pring, who runs Sunninghill Preparatory School in Dorchester, made the call after a pupil's mother was clipped by the vehicle as it turned between South Walks and Acland Road.

The mum, who had just dropped off her child at the private school, was fortunately not injured in the incident, but left very shaken.

She complained to Mr Pring, who wrote to the town council requesting an extension to the barrier at the pedestrian crossing and for the phasing of the traffic lights to be changed so pedestrians have the opportunity to cross both Acland Road and South Walks.

The case was passed to accident investigation and prevention officer at Dorset County Council, David Gillett, who said: "We were very concerned to hear about this accident which could have been so much worse.

"So we agreed to the school's request and are putting a pedestrian barrier up at each side of the crossing just west of Acland Road traffic signals.

"We are digging trial holes in the pavement to make sure we are not hitting cables or pipes, and then we will insert some black bollards to keep pedestrians back from the road and deter heavy vehicles from swinging onto the pavement."

Mr Pring, who has been headteacher at Sunninghill Preparatory School for 13 years and whose two daughters were also educated there, said: "I would like to thank Mr Gillett and Dorset County Council for taking prompt action on this.

"I took it up with the council on behalf of all the parents and pupils because had there been a child there with this parent, it could have been very serious indeed.

"But luckily it just brushed by her and she did not need to go to hospital.

"Hopefully this will prevent similar incidents happening in the future."