Children from Stockton on the Forest Primary School are so worried about road safety they have secured a meeting with City of York Council's transport planners.

A group of children from the primary school wrote to the council last month outlining their fears that about safety - including concerns about drivers parking on the zig-zag lines outside the school in spite of alternative parking being available.

In their letter to the council's transport planning unit on January 10, the children wrote, "We are concerned about the fact drivers in our village are parking on the yellow zig-zag lines. This is causing trouble to the pupils who cross the road. We would appreciate it if you would note our concerns. We hope for an appointment at your earliest convenience."

Now the children and headteacher Jane Nellar are travelling to the Guildhall on Monday (Febryuary 10) to meet the council's school travel experts and Councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing, the council's executive member for planning and transport.

Councillor Simpson-Laing said, "Walking to school is still the majority form of transport but all too often a minority that park outside the school gate make it difficult. We are here to help schools draw up plans and policies to help minimise the impact of traffic outside the school."

And headteacher Jane Nellar said, "We were very pleased to be invited to a meeting. It's important for the children to know that writing letters to the council works. We're hoping that we can find some solutions to our parking problems"

Council road safety officer Pete Zanzottera arranged the school's visit after reading about the children's concerns. He said, "We have a school travel plan adviser and are committed to making it easier for all to walk to school - often novel solutions like park and walk, or walking bus schemes can help those parents who live far away or are driving on to work."

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