Council road safety officers and pupils are joining forces to tackle parking problems outside schools at peak times of the day.

Junior safety officers are helping deliver the message to classmates that it is not safe for the school and local community if people park inappropriately.

The project is called DIPZY (Double Yellow Lines, Ins and Outs, Pavements, Zebras, Yellow Zig-Zag lines) and has been delivered at a number of primary schools in Cheshire West and Chester.

Cllr Mark Henesy, cabinet member for environment and community, said: “We are receiving more and more complaints from schools and residents about congestion and parking issues at the start and end of the school day, which need to be addressed.

“It is hoped that giving information to children regarding inappropriate parking may influence their parents and carers and alert them to the dangers that their actions may cause.

“This will in turn, hopefully, change behaviour and result in the school community becoming a safer place for everyone.”

Also offered to many schools is a road safety awareness day when discussion and fun activities take place to highlight how to remain safer as pedestrians, cyclists and in-car as well as information regarding more sustainable ways to travel.

Schools which have taken up either the DIPZY assembly and or the road safety awareness days are: St Clare’s Primary School in Lache, Barnton and Comberbach primaries in Northwich, Horn’s Mill Primary School in Helsby, Kingsley Primary School, Malpas Alport Primary School, Our Lady’s Primary School in Ellesmere Port, Over Hall Primary School in Winsford, St Wilfrid’s Primary School in Hartford and St Winefride’s Primary School in Neston.

To book a DIPZY assembly, road safety awareness day or for advice on initiative available to schools please e-mail the road safety team at roadsafety@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.