Sherrardswood School parent involved in collision on A1000

Sherrardswood School launched a road safety campaign last year to reduce the speed on the A1000, with claims that children are "gambling with their lives" by crossing the road. The parent was trying to exit the school's blind junction onto the A1000 when her car was struck at speed, leaving it so damaged she couldn't open her door to exit. Children from Sherrardswood School outside the county hall (Image: Frances Knox) Laura Mythen, head of the Road Safety Campaign Group at Sherrardswood School, said: "On May 22, 2025, a Sherrardswood School parent was involved in a serious side-on collision while trying to exit the school's blind junction onto the A1000, a 70mph dual carriageway.

"Her car was struck at speed, leaving it so damaged she couldn't open her door to exit. Thankfully, her three-year-old child was not in the car at the time. "This was not a freak accident.

It's a predictable and preventable outcome of a junction that is fundamentally unsafe. "Overgrown verges have made visibility even worse in recent weeks, and despite repeated pleas from parents, the council continues to refuse to lower the speed limit to 40mph, improve signage, or install a safe crossing. "Sherrardswood has over 500 children.

There is no reason they should be unable to walk to school, or that parents should fear pulling out of the school entrance. "This isn't just frustrating--it is negligent. "The road is unsafe for drivers, unsafe for parents, guardians, and staff, and unsafe for the wider community.

Sherrardswood School campaigners want to see the A1000 speed limit reduced to 30mph (Image: Google Maps) "We urge the council to reduce the speed limit to 40mph, install clear signage, maintain grass verges regularly, and build a crossing. "Action is needed now - before lives are lost."

This is not the only incident that has happened on the road. In February 2023, a 12-year-old girl was seriously injured and suffered from multiple fractures and internal injuries. On January 31 of this year, the school handed a petition with more than 1,000 signatures to Hertfordshire County Council, which called for a reduction in the speed limit to 40mph, funding for a pelican crossing, and improved signage.

In response to the recent incident a spokesperson from Hertfordshire County Council said: "We are sorry to hear of this accident and are glad that nobody was injured. "A speed survey on this road was conducted last year and we continue to work with the school to help understand the likely levels of use and possible benefits for all road users of changes to the network in the area. "The council always seeks to find the best solution for all parties, and we appreciate the desire for improving access to the school for people walking and cycling.

"To better understand if there were any other contributory factors such as road conditions or weather, we will follow this up with Hertfordshire police as part of our ongoing work to understand how our roads are being used. "All road users should take care when travelling on our roads no matter the speed limit or conditions. Always think, "am I driving appropriately to the environment and conditions".

During a council meeting on February 25,[1] a report was presented to councillors suggesting that a 50mph limit would be "appropriate" for the road.

It was mentioned at the meeting that Councillor Tony Kingsbury was already working with officers to reduce the speed limit to 50mph.

Executive member for highways and transport at the time, Conservative Cllr Phil Bibby, said a 40mph limit would not be appropriate or possible without further physical changes to the road.

References

^ During a council meeting on February 25, (www.whtimes.co.uk)