Many children walk to school

It is hoped the pilot scheme at St John the Baptist Aided School in Penymynydd will make motorists aware of youngsters crossing the road.

There is no access to the school from one side and pupils have to cross a main street to get to their classrooms.

Between January and December 2002 seven children were involved in serious road accidents in north Wales while walking to school.

This new idea will undoubtedly help to improve road safety in the vicinity of the school Councillor Meirion Matthews

A further twenty four youngsters received slight injuries.

In the same period one child was seriously injured in Flintshire whilst four received slight injuries.

The latest findings have been released by Arrive Alive.

The initiative was launched last year in response to UK Government targets of a 40% casualty reduction on UK roads by 2010.

Save lives

The pilot scheme consists of variable message signs situated on both approaches to St John the Baptist Aided School.

The electronic signs can either be pre-timed or vehicle activated to show a bilingual message reading 'Slow Down - School!'

Local councillor Meirion Matthews said the initiative could save lives.

"This new idea will undoubtedly help to improve road safety in the vicinity of the school," he said.

"It is hoped that future funding under the Slower Speeds for Safer Streets initiative will continue to enable other schools situated on principal roads to benefit."

Funding for the pilot scheme has come from the Welsh Assembly Government.