CHILDREN should be safer during their walks to school across Wiltshire, as the council are encouraging schools to apply 20mph zones around their buildings.

A new policy from Wiltshire Council means any school with an up-to-date travel plan can bid for funding through area boards and the Taking Action on School Journeys fund to create the zones.

Not every school will be able to benefit from the scheme however.

Philip Whitehead, cabinet member for highways, said getting children to and from school safely is a “priority”.

“We’ve had many complaints from parents, pupils, teachers and residents over the last few years about traffic travelling too quickly near schools,” he said.

“To help with these issues, we’ve been working on this solution which means schools can decide what they need and apply for the relevant funding.

“We want to balance the needs of local people with the need to ensure children can travel to and from school safely, and I think this is a great way to do that.”

The 20mph zone may use standard signs or flashing lights and will operate at the start and finish times of the school.

The zones will operate in the direct vicinity of the school to improve safety for children and parents traveling to school.