Safety calls after Bushey Meads pupil hit by car

The 11-year-old was struck by a Ford C-Max MPV outside Bushey Meads School in Coldharbour Lane at around 8.20am on Friday.

He was helped by staff before police and paramedics arrived and the boy was taken to hospital.

Head teacher Jeremy Turner says he is “thankful” his pupil was not seriously hurt and he was back in school yesterday (Monday).

Read more: Police attend crash between bus and car at roundabout

However, a man whose grandson goes to Bushey Meads says people have warned this was an “accident waiting to happen”.

The grandfather, who did not want to be named, continued: “The traffic problems are well-known because there is no school bus or public transport that goes [directly] to this school.

“Ideally Hertfordshire County Council and the school need to sort out transport to this school to stop this sort of accident happening again.

“Fortunately this was not a fatal accident, but how long will it be before there is a fatality outside this school?”

Read more: Parents fined in crackdown on 'dangerous' parking near schools

Coldharbour Lane. Image: Google Street View (Image: Google Street View)

Mr Turner believes a pedestrian crossing rather than introducing direct buses could solve the problem.

He said: “We will continue to lobby local councillors and have repeatedly asked for a pedestrian crossing to improve safety for our students.

“The council have put up additional signage, road markings and other measures to reduce vehicle speeds which is welcome.”

He also reiterated: “As a school we provide regular reminders to parents and carers not to drop their children off directly outside the school (which encourages students to jump out of their vehicles quickly and dart across the road).”

Read more: Teachers talk of 'gang mentality' at school

The school operates a 'park & stride' scheme, which encourages parents to park in nearby car parks in Bushey.

Mr Turner added: “The vast majority of students do walk or use public transport and walk the short distance from nearby, safely-situated bus stops to the school gates.”

Hertfordshire Constabulary says officers carry out patrols near schools that have been highlighted and says tickets can be issued to repeat offenders or “dangerous” parkers.

The county council has been approached for comment.

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