A Labour motion on the school site was overwhelmingly defeated at the district council on Wednesday night.

Chris White said: ‘Any attempt to move this school to the old fire station site would mean that it was not located near the demand for school places. This will mean that more people get into their cars. By contrast the nearest city centre school sees over 90% of its pupils arriving on foot and we can expect the same here.

‘The idea that there is a problem with schools being sited on main roads is frankly ridiculous to anyone who has ever been to London – where it is common because London like St Albans is a city.

‘Some of the alternatives favoured by local residents were also on main roads, including the Jubilee Centre site and Alma Road school site.’

The motion received only 6 votes in support.