Headteachers Gerard MacMahon and Colin Smith have united in a bid to safeguard their pupils when trying to cross a main road to school.

Both Chippenham heads have said the proposed safety measures recently put forward by Wiltshire Council, which focused mainly on cyclist safety and increasing pavement width, are simply not adequate.

The discussion focuses on Hardenhuish Lane which, at present, has no road safety features and is the spot where 11-year-old Sam O’Dell was killed in February 2007.

Hardenhuish head Colin Smith said: “Twice during school days we have around 4,000 people crossing or walking along that road – more than a crowd leaving a Swindon Town game and yet there is no crowd control.

“What I am suggesting is that we have two raised crossings on the road which means that cars instantly slow down and let pedestrians cross.

“Also I think the road should be a 20mph zone during the peak times using the flashing lights system.”

Last Wednesday the headteachers met police and the local community to discuss their own plans to gage what people living in the area want to see done.

Sheldon head Mr MacMahon said: “We have been working with the police and highways on improving the safety of the road.

“Highways had some very grand plans which were expensive but not really addressing the key issue of pedestrian safety at a time when the road is also busy.

“So we are now developing agreed improvements and we had a meeting with the police and the local authority last week.”

A Wiltshire County Council spokesman said the proposals had been put forward to key groups like the town and parish councils and schools.

After the groups have come back with comments, the proposals will be put out for wider consultation.

“As a result of this no budget has been set aside for the work as we do not know what these comments will be,” he said.