Funding was refused by councillors to finance a �25,000 pedestrian crossing outside an Ilford primary school, with some calling for funds from cabinet.

Area committee seven decided against funding the scheme in Benton Road, Ilford, outside St Aidans Catholic Primary School, at their meeting at Aldborough E-Act Free School, Aldborough Road South, Seven Kings on Tuesday.

Following an investigation, Transport for London could not justify a signal controlled pedestrian crossing and in accordance with the council’s priority rating, it was considered to be low priority.

Cllr Dev Sharma said: “I have spoken on this issue at various meetings and councillors agreed that something had to be done. We must make that area safe.

“However this should be funded by the highways department and there is no way this area committee could finance something of this amount.”

According to the report, which was requested by councillors in October, there was one accident during a three year period between July 2009 and June 2012.

Cllr Sharma added: “It’s disconcerting that we have been asked to pay and I wish we did have the funds. A crossing on the road is really needed but this committee cannot, and should not, fund this.”

Cllr Elaine Norman said: “I think it is also concerning that we have been asked to fund this.

“The road is not safe but we do not have the money to provide a crossing, although I’m not convinced a zebra crossing would help.”

The committee were told that the council were currently recruiting for a school crossing patrol and hope someone will be in place in the new year, to help pedestrians and pupils from the nearby school and Vicarge Lane Play Park.