Angry children and their parents protested against plans to remove safety railings from outside a school in Brighton at a council meeting yesterday.

At a meeting of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee at Hove Town Hall, parents of children at Windlesham School rallied to oppose the “dangerous” plans.

Ali Heal, of the Save Our Safety group, said: “Despite findings that show how well the pelicans work for the heavy flow of traffic and pedestrians the report somehow concludes that zebras would be better.

“The most recent report concludes that they should all be removed due to what appears to be arguments about aesthetics and cyclists’ comfort.”

A council spokesman said they are not aware of evidence that zebra crossings are less safe than light-controlled crossings.

The Friends of Dyke Road group also joined the call for the safety barriers and crossing to stay.

Jannet King, of Friends of Dyke Road, said: “While such schemes may be appropriate for residential streets and other 20mph zones, they do not seem to us sensible on a poorly lit, 30mph road used by HGVs and buses.

"We feel the two light-controlled crossings give pedestrians an unambiguous indication as to when it may be safe to cross.”