A BID has been made to have a safety barrier installed on a “dangerous stretch of road”.

Last week, the Comet reported how Mark Lewis, the headteacher of The Thomas Alleyne School in Stevenage, had been speaking with Herts Highways about what can be done to improve the safety of the bend on James Way in the Old Town after two accidents in a matter of weeks.

An ambulance overturned on the corner by the school, while a fence in front of the school was damaged following another crash.

Now Stevenage county councillor Robin Parker is calling for a safety barrier to be installed.

“I have raised this dangerous stretch of road with Hertfordshire Highways engineers and said it needs a barrier along the side of the High Street at that location,” he said.

“Residents tell me they often hear or see accidents or near misses at this dangerous corner.

“Essentially, traffic negotiating the one-way system often goes too fast for the curvature of the road.”

He continued: “The whole one-way system has been disliked by many since it was introduced about 30 years ago and it really needs a complete rethink. However, in the current economic climate, this is unlikely. A crash barrier along the side of the road would be affordable and feasible.”

Last week, Herts Highways told the Comet that the last recorded injury accident at this location occurred five years ago and, consequently, the road does not meet the criteria to implement changes. “We currently have no safety concerns,” said a spokesman.

James Fraser, Stevenage Old Town county councillor, said: “I agree that there have been very few accidents there, but I was a pupil at Thomas Alleyne’s and saw cars screaming round that corner.

“It’s been a long time that that area has needed addressing.”