SCHOOLS could have staggered opening times in a bid to ease congestion and keep children safe.

The Stanway Action Team has been campaigning to bring together key decision-makers from Colchester Council, North Essex Parking Partnership, Essex County Council and headteachers.

The new Winstree Road Road Safety Working Group has put the focus on road safety as a priority.

While looking at options to improve road safety, it has been considered whether schools in Stanway could stagger opening times, so the morning rush of traffic could be reduced.

They said: “The Stanway Action team fully supports the many ideas and schemes discussed at the inaugural Winstree Road Working Group meeting, with the primary aim to increase road traffic safety, especially along the Winstree Road and Chapel Road areas of the village.

“Lexden Springs School, currently under construction on Winstree Road, has suggested to the group their schools hours will be slightly different to the surrounding schools, to help ease traffic congestion during the morning and afternoon rush hours.

“Options to slightly alter the school hours of other local schools in the immediate vicinity are still being discussed by the school heads and governors, however no formal representation or decision has been made at this time.

“Any decision will be made in consultation with parents and the relevant local authorities.”

There are currently three schools in the area, including Stanway Fiveways Primary School, The Stanway School and Stanway Primary School.

Ray Gooding, Essex County Councillor responsible for education, said there must be an holistic and coordinated approach to travel among schools in this area.

He said: "Lexden Springs School is a special education needs school where most of the pupils arrive by specialist transport.

"When the new expanded school is built and operational, one of the proposals could include to close slightly earlier than the other schools to reduce the potential for congestion on the roads.

“However, no final decision has been made.

"We will continue to seek input from residents, local schools, Essex Highways and the parish council.”