‘Irresponsible’ parents who are constantly risking children’s lives have been banned from dropping them off outside school.

Teachers at Shepherds Primary School and Daybreak Nursery, in Mill End, Rickmansworth, were fed up with seeing people park “dangerously” during school pick-up and drop-off time.

They would leave their cars around the edge of the nearby mini-roundabout and erratically on the roads near the school.

But Three Rivers District Council intervened and a pilot scheme will come into effect on June 4.

Leader of Three Rivers District Council, Sara Bedford, welcomed the news.

She said: “The school approached us because they were worried about the possibility of a child getting hurt.

“I’ve been down there a few times and it really is an absolute nightmare. Something needs to be done – it’s dangerous and irresponsible.

“It also makes things difficult for children who are cycling to school.”

Cars will need to be parked outside of the zone or at the nearby William Penn Car Park, where a new path has been built to allow children to walk safely to and from school.

Restrictions will be in place during term-time from 8am to 9.30am and 2.30pm to 3.45pm.

Signs have been created showing where the designated zone is.

Wards will be patrolling the area to ensure parents are sticking to the new rules and those who disobey will be issued a ticket and fined £75.

The pilot scheme is being trialled after a public consultation showed most people were in favour of safer parking.

Blue badge holders, residents within the designated zone, and visitors within the designated zone are exempt from the new controls.

Wards will be patrolling the area to ensure parents are sticking to the new rules.

“We’ve had no adverse reaction from this,” Cllr Bedford added. “Parents are supportive and they say it makes things safer. Everyone says it’s about time.”