MEASURES to improve safety outside two schools have been given the go-ahead.

School Zones are to be created in Elwick Road and Owton Manor Lane, in Hartlepool, to give greater protection to students attending High Tunstall College of Science and Manor College of Technology respectively.

The Owton Manor Lane proposals include the introduction of no-waiting restrictions around the Maxwell Road/Owton Manor Lane and Jameson Road/Owton Manor Lane junctions.

There will be an extension of the recently-introduced no-waiting restrictions outside the day nursery to cover the junction with the Owton Manor shops service road, school-time parking restrictions between Maxwell Road and the school and keep-clear zig-zag markings to prohibit parking from 8am to 9am and 2.30pm to 4pm.

Other changes include a school crossing patrol, improved school crossing signs, additional "slow" road markings mounted on red surfacing and modifications to pedestrian guard rails to discourage parking close to the school entrance.

The features of the Elwick Road scheme include a pedestrian refuge immediately south of the Cairnston Road junction, a speed-activated sign which will display alternate child warning and speed limit messages, improved school-crossing signs and the provision of keep-clear zig-zag markings directly outside the school grounds.

Two "slow" markings will be mounted on a red surface on either side of the Cairnston Road junction.

Councillor Victor Tumilty, Hartlepool Borough Council's culture, leisure and transportation portfolio holder, approved the schemes as alternatives to 20mph speed restriction zones.

He said: "The council is looking to introduce 20mph speed limits outside schools, but a lowering of the existing speed limits in these particular locations would not be appropriate.

"The reduced zones also require associated engineering measures to slow traffic, but in the case of both Elwick Road and Owton Manor Lane it is felt that such measures would adversely affect the emergency services and increase congestion problems.

"The welfare of children attending our schools is paramount and, hopefully, these alternative measures will give added protection to students at both High Tunstall and Manor."

The £27,000 cost of the schemes will come from the council's local transport plan.