Concerned parents are calling for urgent action to improve road safety near three schools in Royston. Mums whose children attend Greneway School are worried a child may be killed before safety measures are implemented in Garden Walk. The road is used by

Concerned parents are calling for urgent action to improve road safety near three schools in Royston.

Mums whose children attend Greneway School are worried a child may be killed before safety measures are implemented in Garden Walk.

The road is used by hundreds of motorists every day who take their children to Greneway, Meridian, and Icknield Walk Schools.

Jane King of Garden Close, said: "Our main concern is that there will be a terrible accident on the road if something isn't done to improve safety.

"During the past three weeks I have seen motorists driving too fast, mounting pavements and overtaking.

"They show no consideration for other road users or pedestrians.

"Some of the children literally scream as they run across the road as if playing a game of chicken.

"In the past several pupils have been knocked down, but there's been no provisions made for a safe place for them to cross the road."

Anna Pinner of Cherry Drive, Royston, said: "It's about common sense. It's a long road with plenty of spaces to park, but people choose not to.

"It doesn't matter how many yellow lines we have down Garden Walk - people don't respect them.

"It's nice to give children independence and let them walk to school by themselves, but most people are too scared to let them because they fear for their safety.

"We have our children's best interests at heart and something needs to be done.

"What we need is some form of crossing and improved signage."

Greneway School pupil Jamie Stimson, nine, said: "Cars just speed down the road. We're worried we'll get knocked down one day."

Headteacher of Greneway School Sue Kennedy said: "We're working with Herts County Council, Meridian School and Icknield Walk School, and hoping to make changes which will mean there will be different markings down Garden Walk.

"In addition we're going for an optional one-way system at peak times.

"One of the problems is aggressive drivers who are quite abusive to members of staff when we ask them to move on.

"We're also going to look at where the buses pick up and drop off, and look at different drop off points.

"We may even consider issuing passes to certain pupils who have to carry large instruments to school.

"However, we need the support of parents to not stop in inconvenient places, and to encourage children to walk to school more."

Herts County Council is running a scheme called Safer Routes to Schools.

A county council spokesman said: "We are always looking into how we can improve safety around schools.

"We are at the consultation stage at the moment, so we have teams going into schools to find out what the requirements are.

"We should know by January what will need to be done.

"It's likely to be things such as improving signs, and dropping kerbs."

Royston County Councillor Doug Drake said: "The council is aware it needs to make certain areas outside schools mandatory no parking, especially where cars keep parking because children who want to cross the roads should be seen more easily.

"But motorists are probably not realising that they should be going a lot slower when they are in school areas - their awareness is not what it should be, and they do endanger some children.