Council urges everyone to play role in keeping schools safe

MORE than 90,000 Leicestershire students are returning to school – and the county council says getting them there safely is a top priority.

So, the council is encouraging everyone to think about their travel options as part of practical guidance being made available about the return to the classroom.

Additional public transport services will be running for students, but, they are also being encouraged to leave more time for the journey. Please check websites of bus companies.

A similar message has gone out to parents and carers who take their children to school by their own transport.

People are being asked to consider cycling, walking or, even, scooting as well as thinking differently about the school drop-off, parking with extra care near school sites or a few streets away.

Also, if people are planning nonessential journeys around the ‘school run’, they are being asked to consider, if possible, travelling at a different time of day.

Coun Trevor Pendleton, county council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “We want to see students safely return to school and we know that the schools themselves are understandably keen for their pupils to come back to the classroom.

“I think everyone has a role to play in keeping schools safe and I would encourage the everyone to continue to observe social distancing, use face coverings where social distancing isn’t possible and continue good hygiene practices.”

Further information is available at www. leicestershire. gov. uk/ back- toschool