A virtual bus scheme could be coming to South Green in a bid to combat school parking problems.

Parents would park up in a designated parking area and volunteers would then walk the children to school.

Parents who volunteer would ensure the "bus" party was led and followed by adults to keep the children safe from traffic.

A survey has been carried out by Basildon Council to see where children are coming from in Billericay and what the parking problems are.

A council spokesman, said: "We have carried out a survey at South Green Junior and Infants and are waiting for some forms to be returned.

"Once the forms are in we will analyse the results and will be looking at schemes which have the backing of both parents and teachers and are suitable for the youngsters.

"It may be something similar to the virtual bus scheme but we will have to analyse the survey first."

A particularly popular school is South Green's Roman Catholic school, St Peters, which attracts pupils from across the Billericay area.

The possibility of such a park and walk scheme has been welcomed by South Green Parish Council and the Joint Estate Management committee, which is made up of resident representatives.

The parish council clerk, Dorothy Cundy, said: "Such a scheme is good from every aspect.

"It teaches children to be aware of traffic conditions and would hopefully be a social thing for them because they could walk with children of slightly different ages."

The virtual bus scheme was also mentioned when Billericay Town Council committee discussed school car parking problems.

Residents in Dukes Road and the Grove are angry about an increase in sixth formers parking in their roads since a car park was lost at Mayflower School.

Town councillor Gerald Dann, said there were particular problems with "inconsiderate parking" just before picking-up times at Billericay schools.

He said: "We appreciate there's a problem here and it's up to individuals to be as considerate as they can when they park their cars and not to upset the residents."

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