A new park and walk scheme for Staverton Primary School has been credited with making the roads safer for pupils.

Since the start of the academic year in September, Staverton Primary School has been operating a walking bus, while giving permits to parents for specific car parks either at the school, in Cottles Barton, or at Staverton Club.

Representatives of the school and Active Trowbridge have helped the children and parents to walk in each morning from the car parks.

The scheme aims to improve road safety around the school, on the edge of Trowbridge, and reduce congestion for others.

Sarah Nevers, Staverton Primary School’s parking co-ordinator, said: “It has been really successful and we’ve had a lot of support from parents. It is very nice to see the children walking in together. This has made the roads much safer, as there are now less cars coming down to the school.”

The plan was brought in after an extension to the school allowed another 30 children to join.

Governor Jo Balkwill, who helps oversee the scheme, said: “We knew that having more children would result in more traffic and we could not move for cars as it was.

“Everyone has been really supportive and the reduction in traffic around the school has been huge.”

Wiltshire Police’s area PCSO, Andrew Mac-Lachlan, said: “It is a great long overdue system and of great benefit to the school’s pupils. The school deserves great credit for introducing it.”