A new scheme designed to make the car school run a thing of the past is being given the green light by South Green parish councillors.

The laying of a trail of paw prints guiding pupils along the safest school routes, and the grouping together of children into ''virtual buses'' led by volunteer drivers and conductors, are among the ideas being considered as part of the Safe Routes to School scheme.

The project is the brainchild of the Billericay South Joint Estates Management Committee. It is designed to find ways of encouraging pupils at South Green Infant and Junior Schools to walk to school in safety.

Now Great Burstead and South Green Parish Council has thrown its weight behind the plan, in the hope that it will ease traffic around schools by reducing the number of car journeys. Cllr Dave Lipyeat explained: "Some of the roads around the schools, like Ganels Road, get terribly congested at school time.

''It is important to find a way to get children who normally come in by car to walk to school, and to do so safely.

"We are talking to the schools, the Department for Education and other organisations to see how we can take it forward."

The proposals have already won the support of Julie Kidner, head teacher of South Green Infants School.

She said: "I think it's a rather interesting idea and I certainly think it would catch the attention of the children. We are always very concerned about the children's safety.

''The school is very much aware that there are too many cars around here, so anything that will get them to school safely has to be a good idea."

The initiative follows the Government's highlighting of an increase in pollution, road congestion and resulting unhealthy lifestyles because of a reliance on cars for small, non-essential journeys.

Now the school plans to looks into the cost of the scheme and opportunities for sponsorship or outside support. It is expected that about 10 volunteers will be needed for each route. Loyalty cards are also being considered for regular users of shared transport under the scheme.

Paws for thought . . . parish council chairman, Denise Lipyeat, with children at South Green Infants School, where fun animal tracks are among the ideas being introduced to encourage children to walk to school and reduce traffic.

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