DARLINGTON'S first school travel plan was launched in a special assembly at Harrowgate Hill Junior School last Wednesday.

The £65,000 scheme is the result of months of work involving council officers, teachers and children.

Ideas from the children have been incorporated into the work, which includes a traffic calming scheme on Thompson Street West and Longfield Road.

Future work may see the introduction of an informal one-way system in the lane at the rear of Thompson Street West at school start and finish times to make the lane safer.

Coun Nick Wallis, the council's cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "Reducing the risk to children travelling to and from school is a key target of the council and I am delighted at the success of this first scheme."