A frustrated father is still petitioning after three years for road safety measures to protect himself and his daughter on their daily walk to school.

Stephen Ward is calling for the council, police and the Department of Transport to make significant changes in Allum Lane at the Watling Street junction.

Mr Ward and his seven-year-old daughter, Rebecca, have been involved in several near-misses with vehicles on their way to St Nicholas School in Elstree.

Council highways officers this week claimed his complaints were being considered, but said that funding had so far not been available to introduce a pedestrian crossing.

Mr Ward, who lives in Watling Street, said: 'After my latest near-miss while crossing, I contacted the traffic management unit of the Hertfordshire Constabulary.

'The officer who phoned told me that he had made enquiries and that the council had no intention to do anything at this junction, as it was not regarded as an accident blackspot.'

In the past Mr Ward has been struck on the arm by a car at the junction, and he and his daughter once had to dive into a hedge to avoid being hit by a car using the wrong side of the road.

Two weeks ago Mr Ward found himself in yet another dangerous situation at the junction, when a car mounted the pavement, in an attempt to get to the front of a queue of traffic, and rolled backed towards him and his daughter.

'We were very lucky not to be hit,' he said. 'As we got to the corner, the driver tried again, and nearly hit a young schoolboy walking to the same school as my daughter.'

Since 1997, when Mr Ward first complained about the junction, he claims that the only action taken by the council has been to install a white line and four pavement bollards.

'The single white line is neither obeyed nor enforced and the situation is still very dangerous ,, I don't know where to turn,' he said.

Chair of governors at St Nicholas School Jane Phillips this week said the school supported Mr Ward and also wanted improvements at Elstree crossroads.

'We understand the financial limitations but ask that urgent thought be given to these two long-standing problems,' she said.

Borehamwood manager for Hertsmere Borough Councils Highways Partnership, Muthiah Gunarajah, said that the junction would be re-assessed for funding for safety improvements in September. 'Due to the current level of funding, it will take a long time to reach the top of the list,' he said. 'We have to prioritise.'