PLACARD waving pupils staged a special protest to campaign for a crossing outside their Portishead school. Fed up students at

PLACARD waving pupils staged a special protest to campaign for a crossing outside their Portishead school.Fed up students at Portishead Primary school staged a slow crossing of Harbour Road after class on Thursday in a bid to highlight the need for a pedestrian crossing between the plaza outside Waitrose, Parish Wharf Leisure Centre and the school.Some students dressed in black and white to resemble a zebra crossing while others waved placards while they crossed the road.Portishead Primary travel plan co-ordinator Liese Stanley said: "As part of the school's travel plan we actively encourage walking, scootering and cycling to school."However, parents need the backing of the council to ensure that this is a safe option for the children. Cars on Harbour Road constantly far exceed the 20mph speed limit and it sometimes takes five minutes to wait for a gap in the traffic to cross safely. It is an accident waiting to happen."Local police and community support officers, who are often on hand at the beginning and end of the school day to monitor parking outside the gates, are also backing the campaign.Bosses at neighbouring supermarket Waitrose are allowing parents to park in its car park while taking children to school in a bid to ease congestion.Mrs Stanley added: "Obviously we fully appreciate their help and support but they can't be present at both points and I am sure a crossing would free up their time for other issues. We are doing all the right things to encourage pupils to be healthy, raise road awareness by walking and avoid school run congestion."However, this will only be successful if North Somerset Council back us in its efforts."North Somerset Council spokesman Nick Yates said the authority has no plans to install a crossing outside Portishead Primary School at present.