A COMMUNITY is calling for action to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety around a North Yorkshire school.

A petition with 424 signatures of residents and parents has been handed to North Yorkshire County Council requesting changes to the road layout around Richmond Church of England Primary School.

Campaigners want two roads leading to the school's main entrance made one-way.

Richmond mayor and county councillor Stuart Parsons, who presented the petition to highway chiefs, said it would benefit residents and parents.

He said: "At the moment, traffic comes in both directions, meaning the road is regularly blocked at school opening and closing time.

"These measures would ease congestion, make it a lot more pleasant for residents, make it easier for parents to drop off their child and, most importantly of all, make it safer for children."

Mayor Parsons praised parent Dawn Thomas, who spent time consulting locals about the proposed changes.

The school's headteacher, Carol Jenkinson, was unaware of the petition, but said there were concerns about the amount of traffic on roads around the school.

She said: "We have problems because of the width of the road and the number of parents who park in the street. I know there have been concerns about it."

The issue was discussed at a county council meeting yesterday. Councillors agreed with officers that changes were a good idea.

Mike Moore, the council's corporate director, said: "From the number of signatures on the petition, there would appear to be strong support for the introduction of a one-way traffic order on Tudor Road and Frances Road."

Police have also backed the scheme. The manager of Richmond fire station, which is near the school, has also written to the county council to back to the scheme.

Consultation will now be carried out with parents, the school and locals.

If there are no objections, the one-way system could be implemented by the end of the year.