FIVE primary schools in the borough have been chosen to pilot a new scheme aimed at discouraging parents from driving their children to school.

The 'Safer Routes to School' initiative aims to encourage parents to send their children to school on foot or by public transport.

Councillor Terry Hanley, chairman of St Helens Council's Highways sub committee, said: "We are hoping to persuade people to walk their children to school whenever they can. Perhaps one parent could take responsibility for accompanying a group of children from the same road. It might take a little more time but it's healthier for the youngsters and creates a far better and safer environment near the school."

The pilot schemes will be used to try different approaches before the idea is extended to other schools in the borough.

Schools involved in the pilots are Legh Vale, Haydock; Longton Lane, Rainhill; Garswood; Ashurst, Blackbrook; and Allanson Street, Parr. Because they are all primary schools with close catchment areas they are thought to have better potential for the trial phase.

The schools were chosen on the basis of the number of child casualties in the area, the location of schools relative to main roads and other hazards, and the level of commitment the school felt it could deliver.

It is intended to have as many schemes as possible up and running by September and the council, which has committed £40,000 to fund the pilot schemes this year, will be holding meetings with teachers and parents before the summer holidays.

The sub committee has also approved plans for a traffic regulation order to ban parking at the junction of School Lane and Warrington Road (A57) near St Bartholomew's RC Primary School, Rainhill and to restrict waiting on the north side of School Lane.

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