A petition to extend a safety barrier in a busy St Albans road has been thrown out by the county council.

Johanne Jorge submitted the petition to Hertfordshire County Council to extend safety barrier along the footpath under the railway bridge on Park Street Lane. 

The petition, which gained 376 signatures, was investigated by the county council, which said it had no plans to install a barrier.

A statement on their website said: "Pedestrian accessibility improvements to widen both footways were completed at the bridge in January 2012. This was achieved by reducing the carriageway width to one lane and controlling vehicle priority under the bridge by traffic signals.

"The width of carriageway was designed to be the absolute minimum to allow the widest possible footways to be built; this took into account the needs of large agricultural vehicles which use this section of road. The resulting widths were therefore a balance between the needs of both pedestrians and vehicles, but overall were constrained by the existing width of the bridge."

Johanne Jorge said: "Prior to the new crossing the barrier was longer, but never long enough. The barrier should be extended to the grass on the north side of the bridge ensuring safety along the full length.

"Children cycle and scooter along this path and one small wobble could send into the path of a car or truck. Many cars and lorries travel too fast along this road and should as happens on some occasions somebody jumps the lights, the opposing vehicle could mount the pavement as there is no safety barrier.

"Safety of our children is paramount and should come before any cost constraints."