Parents and staff have welcomed plans for speed humps outside a Didcot primary school after several “near-misses”.

The support follows a petition from parents and pupils of Ladygrove Park Primary School, in Avon Way, asking Oxfordshire County Council to improve safety measures.

Headteacher David Burrows welcomed the plans and said that there had already been one collision involving a child outside the school gates.

He said: “There was an incident last summer when a pupil was in a minor collision with a car but there were no injuries, thank goodness.

“There are frequent reports from parents of near misses caused by motorists manoeuvring or turning in the school entrance. It's difficult for children to find a safe place to cross because of parked cars.”

Plans include a total of three flat-top road humps in Avon Way, Tyne Avenue and at the school’s vehicle entrance.

Mr Burrows added: “I'm really pleased that the county council are planning to change traffic measures around the school to help keep children safer.

“We work hard to encourage children to walk, scoot and cycle to school, so I support anything that reduces the risk of accidents.”

Bill Service, county councillor for Didcot, handed the 250-name petition to the council in July.

He said: “Part of the scheme for better ways to school is if we can make the roads safer, it will persuade parents to walk their children to school.” He said that if the speed humps did not work, the county council would consider putting in a zebra crossing at the entrance to the school.

Didcot mayoress Amanda Harbour, who organised the petition, said: “This is a very positive step in the right direction but I won’t be entirely happy until a full crossing is installed as this is an accident waiting to happen.”

County council travel planner Mark Sutherland said: “Ladygrove Park Primary School has been successful in promoting a sustainable travel plan which encourages pupils to get to school by walking, cycling or using the bus.

“We are sure that these proposals can add to the school's success.

“We believe the scheme will increase safety in Avon Way and Tyne Avenue and create a better environment for pedestrians and cyclists.”

Mother-of-two Heather Jones, of Rawthey Avenue, Ladygrove, said: “We were hoping for a zebra crossing but the speed humps are definitely needed.

“Sometimes it takes people two minutes to cross the road and with so many parked cars traffic can only go in one direction at a time.”

Mum-of-three Fiona Tull, 40, of Tavy Close, Ladygrove, said: “I try to avoid that road because of the parked cars and the volume of traffic.I think a pelican crossing would have been a good idea – and a lollipop lady.”

A plan showing the proposals can be viewed at the school’s reception between 9am and 3pm, Monday to Friday, and at the county council offices, in Speedwell Street, Oxford, from 9.30am until 4.30pm Monday to Friday.