The COUNTY council are advertising for a new lollipop person outside a Basingstoke school, a week after a 10-year-old girl was hit by a car.

As previously reported, the child was taken to hospital after the crash at pick-up time on July 12 outside Castle Hill Primary School in Winklebury, with an adult also receiving treatment by paramedics.

It has prompted concerns from parents and councillors, who have called for more safety measures to ensure pupils are safe when walking to and from school.

Now, Hampshire County Council have pledged to investigate the incident and "consider if any interventions could be put in place".

They added they are currently advertising for a school crossing patrol.

Councillor Russell Oppenheimer, HCC’s executive member for highway operations, said: “I was very sorry to hear of this incident and I do hope the young person and adult involved recover quickly.

"Safety always comes first, and we prioritise our resources where there is evidence that installing measures will bring about safety improvements, while taking into consideration pedestrian activity, traffic flows and parking.

"We will be asking the police for the details of this incident and, together, with a study of the injury accident record for this area, will consider if any interventions could be put in place that would reduce casualties and improve road safety.

"We are currently advertising for a new School Crossing Patrol for Winklebury Way and any interested candidates can apply on the Hampshire County Council jobs website."

Cllr Sean Dillow, who represents Winklebury and Manydown, welcomed the news, adding: "I want safety to be forefront in Hampshire County Council's mind, not penny pinching."

The councillor had called for the council to take action last week after the incident.

He continued: "I think children's safety comes first. Children's safety is paramount and should be put before any cost saving measures.

"Hopefully the pressure we are putting on HCC locally will see sense and realise that there is a need on the back of the accident."

Speaking last week, he added: "I was shocked to learn that there was an incident involving a school pupil and a parent outside Castle Hill school yesterday afternoon where a car left the road and collided with pedestrians.

"This comes just days after I spoke to Headteacher John Martin about the parking issues and safety during drop off and pick up times.

"Something needs to be done before anyone else is injured or worse."

The councillor said he would be urging the county council to take action, saying: "I will be pressing for Hampshire County Council to prioritise funding the school crossing patrol position, as it is blatantly obvious that there is an urgent need for increased safety measures for the children.

"HCC should also urgently assess the road infrastructure in front of the school to ensure safer parking and better traffic flow going forward."

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: "We were called at 3.07pm on Monday, 12 July to reports of collision on Winklebury Way, Basingstoke.

"A car had come off the road and been in collision with a 10-year-old child and an adult who were on the pavement.

"The ambulance service attended the scene. The matter is under investigation."

A spokesperson for South Central Ambulance Service said on Tuesday: "We were called yesterday at 15:04 to reports of a child who’d been hit by a car on Winklebury Way.

"We sent to the scene two ambulance crews who were assessing and treating one patient.

"Following treatment at the scene by both our crews, the patient was taken to North Hampshire Hospital."