Council chiefs have been asked to work up a scheme to improve traffic flow and parking in High Elms Lane, Garston.

The road, which backs onto the A405, also attracts traffic going to Parmiter's School and St Michael's Catholic High School, creating severe congestion and road blockages during rush hour.

West Herts Crematorium is also situated in High Elms Lane and funeral cars are often left stuck in traffic.

Jane Thomas, manager at West Herts Crematorium, said: I’ve been here 18 years and unfortunately the problem with traffic on the road has got progressively worse.

"The two senior schools have staggered their times the children finish, but some parents with children at the school don’t appreciate that funerals also operate at this time. Our afternoon funerals are often the ones most affected by congestion.

"We have a timetable we like to keep to, but unfortunately hearses get stuck behind the traffic queues and families struggle to find parking making them late, which is obviously extremely upsetting for them.

"Any kind of measures would be welcome to make the lane safer."

Possible measures to reduce congestion on the road include more off road parking bays, double yellow lines on one side of the road and stricter reinforcement.

Councillor Giles-Medhurst said: "Following the meeting with the schools, and the county and Watford Borough Councils, I hope a joint scheme with some quick wins such as additional parking bays will be able to be implemented by early next year.

"Getting the traffic regulation orders sorted will take longer as they have to go through a legal process but they are needed to ensure a free flow of traffic."

Two meetings have already been held to discuss the issue and possible measure which could be put in place.

A further meeting between the schools, police, and county and district officers is due in late November to consider a final plan.