AN Ulverston school is one of six schools in Cumbria chosen to trial a scheme banning cars outside the site at certain times.

Sir John Barrow School in Argle Street is among a group of schools in the county put forward to trial a scheme which bans cars from parking outside at pick-up and drop-off times, with exceptions for emergency vehicles and school transport buses.

Known as the 'school street' scheme, the initiative is still in its early stages - with Askam Village School being the first in the area to trial the regime.

Traffic would be restricted for a period between 30 minutes and one hour at either end of the school day and the street would effectively then become a walking and cycling zone.

The school streets initiative is an idea pioneered by the Sustrans Charity that aims to tackle the congestion, poor air quality and road safety concerns that many schools experience during drop-off and pick-up times.

The objectives for the school are to improve road safety and air quality outside of the school, which may then increase walking and cycling to the school.

It means traffic would be restricted in Argle Street outside Sir John Barrow School around drop-off and pick-up times.

Mark Wilson, Ulverston Town Councillor, has shown his support for the plans.

"Sir John Barrow School is one of six schools in Cumbria chosen to trial this scheme," he said.

"This will mean that children are better protected when arriving and leaving school and means the better management of traffic around these times.

"We've had an enthusiastic response from parents and the headteacher about the scheme.

"There's been traffic issues outside Sir John Barrow School which hopefully this scheme should resolve.

"Hopefully the scheme will also help encourage parents to teach their children to use safety zones."

The school streets initiative is due to come into place after the October half-term.

The scheme will cost approximately £3,000 per school for appropriate signage and infrastructure.