PRESSURE from Bexley Council on Transport for London has succeeded in getting a second bus to run between a Sidcup school and Erith town centre.

The 669 route between Cleeve Park School, Bexley Lane, and Erith was introduced in 2004 and runs exclusively for the school's pupils.

Children avoid having to change buses at Bexleyheath, which is already overcrowded with school-children trying to use regular bus services.

Bexley is still pressing for a school-only bus between Thamesmead and St Columba's RC Boys School, Halcot Avenue, Bexleyheath, whose pupils also cause congestion on buses in Bexleyheath town centre.

Erith School headteacher Toby Hufford has also asked for a second school-only 229 bus running from Northumberland Heath to Thamesmead to keep his pupils away from the shops in Bexley Road and out of trouble.

Providing buses exclusively for pupils means other bus passengers do not have to battle with children for places on the buses at peak school times.