Queens' School in Bushey gets new bollards to tackle parking problem

Bushey North county councillor Laurence Brass has campaigned for two years to stop cars parking on the grass verge outside Queens’ School and the Met Sports Club in Aldenham Road, Bushey.

The bollards were installed on a nearby footpath on Friday, March 17, and Cllr Brass, who visited the spot yesterday (March 20) at the end of school, said there has already been an improvement.

He said: “I stood there for an hour and a half, and I am happy to say I didn’t see one car going along the footpath.”

The next phase of work will be to raise the kerbs, which the councillor said will happen within weeks.

Cllr Brass says the next stage of work will be to increase the kerb. (Image: Councillor Laurence Brass)

Fears for children’s safety had been raised for some time now, with Cllr Brass claiming kids walking and cycling on the footpath would "dodge" cars trying to park on the verge.

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The school’s headteacher Jonathan Morrell had previously told the Watford Observer the potential for an accident was “greater than ever”.

Despite the latest change, Cllr Brass warned drivers were still some drivers flouting the rules.

Cllr Brass said cars used to drive down the foot and cycle path to park on the verge. (Image: Bushey Lib Dems)He said: “There are still some reckless drivers reversing on to the verge.

“But I can’t stop them because I am not a policeman.”

However, the councillor, who paid for the bollards and upcoming verge works with his highways locality budget, is happy with the progress.

The bollards were put in place on Friday, March 17. (Image: Councillor Laurence Brass)

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He said: “I considered this to be a priority and I am pleased the bollards are up. It is a big deterrent.”

A Queens’ School spokesperson said: “As part of the school’s commitment to keeping children safe, improving health and wellbeing, and reducing the environmental impact of school journeys, we are working in partnership with our local community.” 

It was nine months ago when the school, Hertfordshire County Council, and several local officials, including Cllr Brass, attended an urgent meeting to tackle the parking issues.