School officials have been accused of valuing pupil safety at less than £10 after refusing to pay a one-off charge allowing parents to drop off their children in a private car park.

Hillcross Primary School built a gate across its drive, meaning parents have limited space to pull over when on the school run.

Many are forced to stop in Ashridge Way, letting their children out in the middle of a road.

Some parents started using the nearby Centre Ward Residents’ Sports Club car park, with the permission of its owners.

But now the club’s treasurer, Mick Spacey, said the council was refusing to pay a one-off symbolic fee needed for insurance purposes, which would show the school entered into a policy agreement that covers parents using the car park.

The former Merton councillor said: “It seems like the lives of its pupils are valued at less than £10 by Hillcross.

“It’s just breathtakingly stupid, because we’ll be forced to turn people away from our car park.

“The school used to have a sensible place where parents could drive in and safely drop their kids.

“Now the front of the school is gated the parents are forced to stop in the middle of the road.

“Soon they started pulling into the sports club to let them out.

“The problem is with insurance and liability if something were to happen to a pupil, but we quickly realised it would only take a nominal amount for this to be added to the sports club’s policy.”

Janet Martin, head of education at Merton Council, said: “It is not the school or the council’s policy to finance car parking for parents, regardless of the amount.

"Merton schools encourage parents and children to use sustainable transport options as part of our school travel plan.

“Sustainable transport options, including walking and buses, help to reduce traffic congestion and pollution and encourage healthier lifestyle options for children.

“If parents still wish to use their cars parking is available in the road outside the school, and a police community support officer patrols the area at the beginning and end of the school day to ensure the safety of children coming to and from school.”