A PLAN to crack car parking problems outside a Baildon school by redirecting a bus route has seen a hundred per cent increase in pupil passengers.

And that means morning and afternoon traffic chaos outside Baildon CE Primary School has been reduced due to the improved transport service.

Ward Councillor Debbie Davies, who is also the Conservative group's spokesman for children's services, contacted the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in May following constant complaints from residents in the Langley Lane area and suggested the bus route could be altered and extended.

And according to WYCA's figures, the average uptake has risen from some 20 pupils to 40.

This meant the bus then qualified for an on-board "escort" to look after travelling youngsters, said head teacher Mary Connor.

"Having the escort is great as she comes into school to collect the children, some as young as four-years-old and takes them safely to the bus.

"She also ensures they stay in the seats, which was the responsibility of the driver - a difficult thing to do when one is concentrating on the road.

"So parents are much more keen to put their children on a bus because of the escort and the change in route.

"And I have to say we've had no complaints about parking problems so far this year - although the dark and rainy winter evenings are only just beginning and that usually means more parents chose to use cars."

Cllr Davies said she believed the earlier children used public transport the better.

"Hopefully this will be the start of a change and as word gets around about the bus and children's escort , more people will use it," she said.

"I'd like to thank West Yorkshire Combined Authority which has been willing to engage and helped get a brilliant result."

Cllr James Lewis, chairman of West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, he was pleased the alteration to the bus route had proved beneficial.

He said: "The route at Baildon Church of England Primary School was slightly altered in line with the suggestions made and I’m delighted that this modification has made the service even more accessible for more pupils.”

“The West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Mybus scheme has been popular with parents, teachers and pupils since its launch and we maintain close contact and listen to all feedback from the schools it serves."