BOURNEMOUTH children say they feel safer walking and cycling to school thanks to a roll-out of road safety measures.

Pupils at St Luke’s School, Winton are celebrating the launch of a new 20mph zone, a zebra crossing on Heron Court Road and other steps to slow drivers down.

Many of the 420 youngsters now walk, cycle or use a scooter to get to school – even mayor Cllr Chris Rochester joined in as he visited on Wheelie Wednesday.

Headteacher Mark Saxby, who often cycles to school, said: “In the morning the congestion around the school really did mean crossing roads between cars which was very unsafe.

“By just reducing the amount of traffic, the crossings are safer.”

On a good day 70 per cent of junior pupils and 40 per cent of infants walk or scoot to school, he said.

“The children arrive a bit brighter and perkier,” he added.

“With a bit of oxygen inside them they’re ready to learn.”

Many residents opposed the original proposals, upset at a reduction in on-street parking.

Mr Saxby said: “We appreciate that their inconvenience has made our school a safe place and apologise for that.”

Three pupils won a competition to design signs that are placed at the ‘gates’ to the new 20mph zone.

John Satchwell, the borough council’s road safety manager, said: “We wanted to encourage children to walk and cycle and for their parents to let them.

“We would ask those that have to come by car because they live further away to park and walk in a little way.”

Other features include speed cushions to slow cars down, flat-top humps across roads to help pedestrians and cyclists cross, and narrow carriageways.