A SCHEME to improve road safety around a Valley Park school is under way.

A new fenced and gated pedestrian entrance to St Francis Primary School in Pilgrims Close costing just over £14,000 has been officially opened by Valley Park Parish Council chairman and Hampshire County Councillor Alan Dowden and the school headteacher Ester Jones.

It has been designed to encourage parents to leave their cars at the nearby Knightwood Leisure Centre and walk to the school via George Perrot pedestrian cycleway.

Further safety improvements costing £20,000 are planned outside the school which is in a cul-de-sac. This includes improving sightlines for pedestrians and motorists.

Councillor Dowden said: “The headteacher is trying to encourage people to park further away and stride to school. It gets so congested outside the school and we are trying to reduce the number of cars to make it safer for the children.

Neighbourhood warden Tim Deacon and police community support officer Jay Tabor were at Tuesday morning’s official opening along with Valley Park’s borough councillor Kath Tilling. “Parents can now park and stride with their children in a safe environment. It has also alleviated traffic congestion at Pilgrims Close.

“Everyone benefits including users of St Francis Church opposite the school. Parents say it’s a great benefit for them even if they have to park further away from the school.

“We’ve seen a big improvement since the new entrance was finished a couple of weeks ago.

“Older children like it because they can walk on their own in a secure area and it gives them more independence,” said headteacher Ester Jones.