A mother-of-three who is concerned speeding in a village is one day going to kill someone has started a petition calling for traffic calming measures.

Caroline Presland, of Stockens Green in Knebworth, has lived in the village for 10 years and says speeding has become more of a problem, along with dangerous parking since restrictions were introduced in the heart of the village in 2012 and extended in April this year.

She said: “Having now lost two cats within a year, and witnessed four others being run over, it can only be a matter of time before a child is hit.

“Stockens Green is known by everyone in the village for the speed cars drive on it, as it is a rat run to avoid the main roads.

“Cars have been known to reach more than 60mph along this residential road, screeching to a halt at the top to avoid parked cars and oncoming traffic at the corner.

“There have been many car accidents at the top of this road, as the drivers have misjudged their speed and failed to stop.”

Caroline is calling for people to sign a petition asking Herts County Council to introduce speed bumps on Stockens Green to force cars to slow down.

Running her own business, Knebworth Cakes, from home means Caroline witnesses first hand the speed of the cars whizzing past her windows.

“It’s very dangerous for children to step out,” she said. “I have three children and my eldest is 10. At his age I would have walked to school, but I wouldn’t dream of letting him do that. I won’t let my children go anywhere by themselves. People are in such a hurry - I don’t remember that when I was a child.

“It’s a rat run and it’s really dangerous. I can see someone is going to get killed. It’s an accident waiting to happen.

“The only road you can’t get over 20mph in Knebworth is Watton Road and that’s because there are speed bumps.”

A spokesman for Herts County Council said: “In the last five years there has been only one casualty accident in Stockens Green, in which a pedestrian received a slight injury. Speed was not found to be a factor in the accident.

“We are happy to hear suggestions from residents about safety measures and improvements that can be made to roads in their area. Petitions are one way people can do this. If sufficient signatures are obtained, the petition will be considered by the appropriate council panel.

“However, if residents are concerned about speeding we would also encourage them to discuss their concerns with the police and their local county councillor.”

•To sign the petition visit https://cmis.hertsdirect.org/hertfordshire/Petitions.aspx.