A serious car incident just before Christmas has united a North Staffordshire village in calling for increased safety measures.

The crossing at the monument in Madeley, which connects Crewe Road and Newcastle Road, has been a long-standing concern for more than 20 years.

The morning of Wednesday, 17 December, a father, who pushed his daughter out of harm's way, needed hospital treatment after being hit by a black Peugeot outside the Meadows Primary School.

The nine year old daughter was unharmed, while the father remained in hospital for several days.

Councillor Jill Whitmore, a community leader, who is also a lollipop lady at the crossing was on duty that day. She recalled jumping out of the way of the Peugeot and consoling the girl following the incident. She is currently undergoing counselling.

Ms Whitmore said: "The man was crossing with his daughter and this car didn't stop, I jumped out of the way, I felt the whistle as it went past me, it could have taken me out if I hadn't jumped out of the way.

"The man pushed his daughter to the side, he knew he was going to get hit I think – if she had got hit she would have died because of how fast it was.

"It was like watching a film. He went up and over the car like a crash-test dummy and landed on the road. I've got counseling because of what I saw and heard. You get flashbacks from it, it's vile."

Jill, who has been the crossing warden at the junction for the past five years, said the situation has worsened during that time.

Since the start of this year a further two near-misses have occured, one involving a car not stopping and just driving around her and carrying on.

Since then the community has rallied together. A group of around 20 local residents have joined forces and encourage drivers to slow down either side of the school.

Campaigners gather before and after the school day, waving placards to encourage drivers to slow down.

Carol Phillips is a founding member of the group and has seen the situation get worse during the 35 years she had been in Madeley. She said she got involved to support Jill and to highlight that safety measures need to be introduced at the junction.

She said: "I've been here over 35 years and I've seen a quite drastic change in the amount of traffic and the speed on this road and it's always bothered me with the children crossing. I've been out every morning and afternoon with my placard and it's starting to work.

"We are getting a lot of positivity, some are slowing down and some are completely ignoring us. I just feel personally as though I'm doing something rather than waiting for somebody to get killed. 

"It's such an awful junction and I can't have it on my conscience if I don't try and do something." 

The collision has also united politicians from all parties in calling for action to be taken.

Simon Tagg, leader of Newcastle Borough Council, has requested an urgent review and called on Staffordshire County Council to bring forward safety measures.

The local MP Adam Jogee, wrote to the acting leader of Staffordshire County Council calling for action and has requested a meeting to discuss the issue.

It is understood highways officers have already visited the site and talks are in place to introduce more safety measures including more signs and the possibility of a dedicated crossing point. However, this is still in the early stages.

Ms Whitmore adds: "We need something done. The ladies have set up a community speedwatch and they're with me with the banners encouraging drivers to slow down. I've got to be here for the kids. 

"If I'm not there then nobody is there and the kids crossing the dangerous road are in even more danger. Somebody is going to get killed and I couldn't live with that. I'd feel so guilty if I wasn't here."