BOOTHS have joined forces with a Knutsford primary school in a venture to improve the safety of schoolchildren.

A car parking initiative launched last week and will see a parking permit scheme introduced for parents of pupils from Egerton Primary School.

The Bexton Road school faces a number of challenges in relation to parking and traffic congestion due to its cul-de-sac location, and Head Teacher Alison Hooper has tried for many years to identify alternative options to improve the situation.

Working with the Local Authority and Booths supermarket, the primary school came up with a plan to introduce a parking permit scheme, enabling parents to park in the car park of Booths for one hour in the morning from 8.30am-9.30am, and again from 2.45pm-4.30pm, coinciding with school times.

The scheme has been launched with Cheshire East Council, who own and operate the car park with pay and display parking, and the Governors of Egerton.

“We are delighted to have found a solution and are really pleased with the encouraging response from parents,” said Head Teacher Alison.

“This is a win/win situation, as many of our parents call into Booths while collecting and dropping off their children and now they can do so during these times without parking charges.”

Around 35 permits have been purchased to date. The permits cost £15 per year to cover the cost of production with no profits being made from the initiative.

Ian Jacques, Store Manager at Knutsford Booths, said: “It is a great pleasure to be able to support Egerton Primary School. We feel strongly about working with the community and supporting local initiative and this venture will provide a much-needed solution to the school’s current parking problems and ensure welfare of the children.

“Many of the parents are loyal customers to the store, and we are thrilled to be able to give something back.”