High-visibility backpacks to help safety

High-visibility backpacks could be available for all school pupils in the Royal Borough.

The bags, which are bright yellow and designed to be seen by motorists during dark evenings and on bright summer days, have been trialled by pupils at St Mary's Catholic Primary School.

So far 65 pupils at the school in Cookham Road have bought the backpacks, which have been part-subsidised by the council and cost £5.95 for parents to buy.

Cllr Geoff Hill, cabinet member for highways and transport, visited the school to see the fashion must-have in the flesh.

He said: "For a motorist, being able to see a child clearly is really important in helping to maintain road safety especially near schools and on routes home.”

"I think the scheme is wonderful, the kids love them."

Geoff Hill is in the process of getting more funding for the backpacks with the hope to encourage all borough schools to sell them to pupils.