A parent is calling for a 20mph speed limit to be introduced along a busy road near a school in a bid to keep her children safe from “thundering” cars.

Allyssa Gregory is concerned about her young children Thomas and Lily crossing Harefield Road, in Rickmansworth, which passes St Mary’s Primary School.

She believes families and children are putting themselves “at risk” due to heavy goods vehicles and mopeds speeding past the narrow pavement.

Ms Gregory hopes Hertfordshire County Council will reassess the speed limit or introduce more Lollipop Ladies during the afternoons.

She said: “I have been asking Hertfordshire County Council for more than a year to carefully consider the speed problem on this road. HGVs seem to have no knowledge of the speed limit currently being 30 mph nor of the school being here and thunder up and down the hill.

“I’m keen to support the Lollipop Ladies who do a fabulous job in the mornings, but are themselves put at risk in helping families and children to cross this fast and busy road.

“I’ve witnessed drivers chicaning past the Lollipop lady showing no regard for people crossing. Also, regrettably, there is no Lollipop Lady in the afternoons anymore to help the children cross safely.”

Members of the Green Party in Three Rivers are also campaigning for Hertfordshire County Council to tackle “dangerous driving” in Harefield Road.

They believe there should be a 20mph speed limit, along with a pedestrian crossing and smart speed signs to warn motorists if they drive too fast.

They said: “Drivers regularly speed both up and down the hill and often get into difficulty on the bend and summit.

“Many children walk to school and residents use the narrow pavement to walk to shops, the aquadrome and bus stops.

"Taking into account the increasing pressure on our roads, and the serious public health issue of air pollution caused by vehicles, the council should be considering new traffic management measures that are pedestrian friendly and which keep all road users safe.”

A spokesperson for Hertfordshire County Council responded that people are welcome to suggest ideas to make the roads safer.

They said: "The safety of road users and pedestrians is of paramount importance to Hertfordshire County Council and we would always encourage residents to voice any concerns which they might have about their local roads. If these concerns relate to speeding we suggest that they talk to the police about enforcement.

“If road users or residents have general concerns about road safety issues we would encourage them to contact us or discuss them with their local county councillor.”

“We are happy to hear suggestions from Hertfordshire residents about safety measures and improvements that can be made to roads in their area. Petitions are one way that people can do this. If sufficient signatures are obtained, the petition will be considered by the appropriate council panel.”

Sign the Green Party’s e-petition online here