Dozens of frustrated parents have signed a petition about the delayed opening of a new free secondary school in Croxley.

The new school, Croxley Green Secondary School, was scheduled to open in 2016 on a site in Baldwins Lane.

In the latest delay, the development is being held up as Hertfordshire County Council has yet to agree a price to purchase the land from owners Transport for London (TfL).

Mother-of-two Pamela Walsh, of Linksway in Croxley, launched the petition in the hope that hearing from affected families will prompt the council to take action.

She said: “We are hoping that to get more signatures will force the council to be more transparent and be more responsible.”

Pamela feels that uncertainty over which secondary schools she can apply to for her 10-year-old son Peter, for September 2017 entry, is causing the entire family undue anxiety.

“It’s far too stressful,” she said. “You go to bed at night thinking about it and you get up in the morning thinking about it.”

Her concerns are echoed by mother-of-two Joanne Teefy from Durrants Drive, Croxley.

Joanne will also be applying for a secondary school place for her 10 year-old-son Connor.

She is frustrated at the lack of progress and information from Hertfordshire County Council.

“This is an unacceptable state of affairs,” she said. “But nobody from the council seems to be bothered about the future of our local children.”

“The council doesn’t seem to have a problem with the authorisation for new houses and flats being built in the area but they are dragging their heels when it comes to building desperately needed new schools.

She added: “I desperately want Croxley Danes School to open as promised in September 2017 but I fear we are going to be let down again.”

Cllr David Williams, who is the cabinet member responsible for education, said: “It is a source of considerable frustration that the commercial negotiations with Transport for London have not yet been concluded.

“Should the school not be in a position to admit new pupils in September 2017, provisions will be made to create extra school places in the area to meet growing demand.”

To sign the petition, visit: www.facebook.com/croxleydanesdelaygroup/