IMPROVEMENTS have been made at a primary school near Ludlow after parents raised concerns over the safety of children.

As part of a new housing development in Orleton, in the north of the county between Leominster and Ludlow, housing association Connexus and construction partner Shropshire Homes have worked with Herefordshire Council to improve the car parking at the village's primary school.

Local parents have had longstanding concerns about dropping off and picking up their children from Kings Road, with children often having to navigate between congestion and cars at peak times.

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Responding to these concerns, Connexus said it worked with builder Shropshire Homes and Herefordshire Council to pledge a new car park for the primary school as part of a new housing development.

The car park has 30 spaces for parents and teachers, with a further six spaces for minibuses.

The new car park was completed and handed over to the school before the first residents moved into the new housing development.

Also included in the new development is a large public space, situated behind the car park and close by to the primary school, which is an area that anybody can use to walk, exercise or play.

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The new housing development includes 14 Connexus properties, with seven made available for social rent and seven for shared ownership, and 25 homes made available on the open market.

Adam Breakwell, executive headteacher at Orleton Primary School, said: “The new car park has made a wonderful addition to our school, relieving traffic at the beginning and end of the school day and improving the safety of our pupils dramatically.

"You can really notice the difference when we hold events, which used to mean parents parking on the road and causing nuisance traffic delays."

He said the next step would be to work with the council to improve the nearby pedestrian crossing.

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Steve Agger, interim director of property at Connexus, said: “This development is the perfect example of how Connexus works with communities, listening to their specific needs while delivering high-quality housing.

"With the collaboration of Herefordshire Council, Shropshire Homes and the Primary School itself, the school run will feel safer for parents and children.”