Parents and students protested for greater road safety outside a school in Chorleywood on Friday afternoon.

Pavements were cluttered with sign-waving demonstrators, who encouraged passing cars to crawl past St Clement Danes School and sound their horns.

Ann Garner, of Chorleywood, said: “We are here to make some noise about road safety. "I'm a mother who feels very strongly about her daughter playing Russian roulette every time she crosses the road.”

The main road opposite the school has a 40mph limit and no crossing in the immediate vicinity. This means children, many of whom park their cars and are dropped off on the other side of the road, are forced to walk across the carriageway.

A leaflet handed out to motorists by the Parents of St. Clement Danes School group said: “We apologise for any inconvenience to you from our demonstration today. We have no desire to delay you on your journey. We simply want our children to be safe.

“You are approaching St Clement Danes School where two of our children have been knocked down.

“Despite this, councillors have ignored a 5,000 strong petition from parents and have refused to put in a safe crossing.

“To show your support please reduce your speed to 10 miles per hour until you pass the school and honk your horn.”

In January 2008 a young student was knocked down and seriously injured when she was hit by a car, prompting almost a hundred comments on the Watford Observer website.

Following the accident a working group involving school governors, the Police, local councillors and HCC officers was created to consider what might be done to improve highway safety for children.

Hertfordshire Highways confirmed a signal controlled pedestrian crossing point was rejected as its location didn't satisfy the sight distance because of the bend in the main road.

This year further highway measures will be investigated and a study on a number of options is due to be reported for consideration in January.

Dr Josephine Valentine, headteacher, said: “We are becoming increasingly concerned about parents carrying out a “peaceful protest” on Friday afternoon.

“The ideal solution for everyone would be for the school to obtain the necessary funds to provide additional on site parking to ease traffic conflicts in nearby roads and to also provide a dedicated lay-by for drop off and pick up times for parents.”

Sixth form student Matt Cousins, 18, explained the problem faced by students.

He said: “We park over the road because we're not allowed in the school, even in the morning when there isn't much traffic it's still scary because you can't see around the corner, especially now it's getting darker earlier.”

County Councillor Chris Hayward suggested the speed limit could be reduced at the site. He said: “We've got proposals coming out in February which could take the form of a variable speed limit so the speed is reduced at the school opening and closing times.”

Protesters, however, demanded that more immediate action was taken, warning they would be back again next week unless something was done.

Three Rivers District Councillor Martin Trevett, whose two children attend the school, said: “The speed limit change wasn't supported by the police because it would be hard to enforce it at two in the morning, which would be pointless anyway.

“There is a need for partnership work here, we've all got a bit of a solution but we need to come together to make something which works.”