Terrifying “near miss” accidents outside a Chalfont St Giles infant and nursery school site have prompted worried parents and teachers to launch a new road safety campaign.

Accident-Free in CSG, a scheme launched by Chalfont St Giles Village School to improve the safety of pupils and parents, has got the backing of Chesham and Amersham MP Dame Cheryl Gillan.

In a bid to tackle safety problems and prevent any pupils, their families or teachers getting injured outside the School Lane site, traffic patrols have been ramped up and a new parking permit scheme has been introduced.

The school hopes the permits, for the village car park, will encourage parents to park there instead of driving up the narrow, one-way School Lane.

Regular traffic patrols are also being carried out by parent volunteers, with part registration details for vehicles parking illegally or inconsiderately included in the school’s weekly newsletter.

The school has also had visits from the village’s Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) to talk about dangerous parking and road safety sessions are being carried out with pupils.

The youngsters also got to name two new hedgehog mascots - Meghan and Harry.

One parent commented: “Cars used to park anywhere and everywhere outside the Infant school. It was a matter of time before something serious happened. It is definitely better now, so this campaign is making a difference”.

The school is now looking to secure funding to tackle unsafe footpaths and a lack of road markings in their safety zone.

Elen Peal, head teacher, said: “I am so appreciative of all of the hard work and commitment from the team of volunteers who are prioritising the safety of our children. The campaign has gathered pace and we have more and more parents on board putting safety before convenience.”

 Dame Cheryl Gillan MP and Chiltern District Councillor Carl Jackson also visited the school to help with traffic patrol and meet volunteers.

Dame Cheryl added: “I am concerned about the safety of the area outside this school and will be writing to Buckinghamshire County Council to lend my support”.

Councillor Michael Smith from Chiltern District Council said: “In partnership with Chalfont St Giles Village School, we have introduced the new parking permit scheme to help improve road safety at the school.

"With the new permits, parents can park in Blizzards Yard car park at school starting and finishing times without the need to obtain a ticket from the pay and display machine.  

"This helps parents at these busy times of day and encourages them to park safely in the car park, instead of on the road.

“We introduced the scheme following a trial earlier this year and we hope it will continue to help ease the parking problems around the school.

“We would encourage parents to take advantage of the scheme and we support the school’s educational initiatives to further improve road safety in the area.”