PUPILS at Hamp Academy lent a hand to Somerset County Council Highways Department by giving ideas on how to tackle the problem of congestion around their school.

With support from The Bridgwater Way’s DIY Streets team, the youngsters took part in a three-week project which looked at traffic issue in Rhode Lane during school drop-off and pick-up time.

Through this, Year 4 pupils were able to learn that the way streets are designed affects how people get about by bike and foot.

In the final session, children worked with an urban designer to develop their own designs to tackle congestion.

Ideas included flower trampolines and a system of tunnels which will now be looked at by a professional designer who will incorporate some of the children’s ambitions into real designs for the road.

Cllr Harvey Siggs, Somerset County Council’s cabinet member for highways, said: “This was a fun and creative way to get local children involved in the Bridgwater Way project.

“By giving them the chance to come up with ideas to reduce congestion, they have also been given a valuable insight into how cycling and travelling by foot is great for the environment and their health.”