MOTORISTS are being urged to follow a voluntary one way system which aims to improve road safety near a school.

Parents and carers of pupils at Timothy Hackworth Primary School, in Shildon, and residents of the surrounding streets have received letters encouraging them to back the initiative.

Drivers are asked to enter Oxford Street and leave by Ruskin Avenue, then take Diamond Street on to Byerley Road around the start and end of the school day.

About half of Timothy Hackworth’s 420 pupils travel to and from school by car which results in clogged up roads and increased hazards for those trying to cross the road on foot at busy times.

Headteacher Anne Dockray said: “The congestion around school causes all sorts of problems, there have been some very close shaves where children could have been hurt because of the congestion and people not always being as respectful as they could be.

“Children have a right to be safe and we hope if people adhere to this there will be fewer close shaves in the future.”

The new system was launched on Wednesday, December 3, and neighbourhood police officers and school staff said it was largely supported and had worked well.

PCSO Michael Robson said: “The first day was very successful, we need 100 per cent buy-in for it to keep working.

“If everyone observes the one way route then it is win-win, residents will have less traffic congestion around their homes and families going to and from school will find it easier and safer to drop-off or pick-up children.”

An earlier attempt by the school to improve road safety- a walking train which encouraged children to walk to school in a group wearing high visibility clothing- was not hugely successful.

But Mrs Dockray and PCSO Robson hope the one way system will do better.

Mrs Dockray said: “We remain proactive and hope, with the police, to have found an alternative that will benefit people who live and drive near the school and of course make it safer for our children.”

PCSO Robson added: “We had been getting complaints from the school, the crossing patrol and residents about the narrow back streets getting jammed when cars visiting the school went in both directions, I saw in action on the first day that this system can really change things so we just need everyone to stick to it.”