A PRIMARY school is campaigning for a "lethal" slippery bridge to be improved after numerous children have fallen on their way to school.
The bridge, which crosses the railway line by Kenley Primary School, in New Barn Lane, is used by one third of pupils every day.
Head teacher Georgina Catanach said in cold weather the surface of the bridge freezes, making it treacherous for children and parents to cross.
Ms Catanach said she first told the council about the problem five years ago, when they drilled holes in the surface to drain water. But she said rain still collects on the walkway and steps.
She added: "It can become really, really dangerous. When it rains the top of the bridge floods.
"In winter, when it's frosty, the bridge is lethal – it freezes over and gets really slippery. It's concerning watching the children cross, especially when a parent is carrying a buggy and the little one is trying to manage the stairs. I stand out there and tell them to hold the handrail."
Over the years a number of pupils and parents have fallen on the bridge, with three children slipping this winter already.
Ms Catanach said the problem is worsened by a rail, used to wheel bikes up the steps, which stops children reaching the handrail on one side.
A 39-year-old mum, who asked not to be named, has been taking her two children, a five-year-old girl and seven-year-old boy, over the bridge for two years.
Both youngsters and their grandmother have fallen on the crossing.
She said: "My mum was shaken because she has had quite a few falls. She's not too good on her feet and it made her very nervous.
"She was coming up the steps of the bridge trying to keep an eye on the children and slipped. But it's on the route to school, so we have no choice."
The 39-year-old suffers from arthritis and said she drives her children to school when she can, to avoid the bridge.
"It's just an extra thing to worry about," she said.
Melanie Huggins, 42, carries her disabled daughter over the bridge in a buggy, every day.
"If it's icy, it's so dangerous," she said. "It's very precarious. I'm absolutely petrified.
"I dread it when the weather is bad."
Ms Huggins has two other daughters, aged ten and six, who both attend the school.
She could take a different route to avoid the bridge, but this would add 25 minutes to her journey.
"It's been as bad as this for as long as I can remember," she said. "The kids go up the steps in front of me holding the rail when it's icy. It's hard work.
"I could drive, but I don't live far from the school, so it seems pointless to take the car out, and I don't like having to keep bundling the children into the car because that's not good for them."
The structure of the bridge belongs to Network Rail, but Croydon Council is responsible for the surface and safety of pedestrians.
The council said it is aware of the problem and urged users to take care when temperatures fall below freezing.
A spokeswoman said: "We, and Network Rail, which owns the bridge, are looking at carrying out work to the middle landing on the steps on either side of the bridge to reduce the amount of water collecting on them.
"Gritting of the footbridge is carried out as part of the council's second level of priority footway routes, when conditions dictate."
Network Rail confirmed it is working with the council.
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