A Welwyn school has launched a road safety campaign to reduce the speed on the A1000, with claims that children are "gambling with their lives" by crossing the road.

The driveway of Sherrardswood School leads directly onto the A1000 Hertford Road, which has a 70mph speed limit and no crossing points, which is stopping staff and students from walking for cycling to the school.

Campaigners are fighting to have the speed limit reduced to 30mph, but their efforts have so far been pushed back by Hertfordshire County Council.

Campaign member Laura Mythen told the Welwyn Hatfield Times that anyone crossing the road is "gambling with their lives", and that change needs to happen.

"The majority of children and staff are prevented from cycling and walking to school because the road they would have to cross is so dangerous," she said. 

"The A1000 Hertford Road is a 70mph dual carriageway and since 2018, Hertfordshire County Council have refused to lower the speed limit or fund a crossing.

"Some families and teachers have no choice but to walk, because they cannot drive due to not having a car or have a medical condition which prevents them from driving.

"People are gambling with their lives. This road has huge potential to cause a fatality."

Back in February 2023, a 12-year-old girl was rushed to hospital with serious injuries after being hit back a car on the A1000 outside Sherrardswood School.

"This was a very sad and needless accident that should’ve been prevented with a lower speed limit," Laura added.

It's not just pedestrians putting their lives at risk, but drivers too, with Laura continuing: "We have many new Sixth Form drivers who are reasonably anxious when exiting by car blind onto a 70mph dual carriageway."

In response to the campaign, Hertfordshire County Council told the Welwyn Hatfield Times: "Despite the A1000 being a busy road that carries very high volumes of daily traffic it has historically been recorded as having a low accident rate.

"We will continue to evaluate this road and our Highways and Road Safety teams are looking into implementing a Speed and Volume Survey.

"Dependent upon the results of this survey, a reduction to the speed limit in the immediate vicinity of the school may be considered by the county council."