A GWENT road safety campaigner is urging people to sign a petition calling on Parliament to end overcrowding of school buses.

Pat Harris is leading the Belt Up School Kids' (BUSK) fight to change the law on how many schoolchildren can be safely carried on buses.

BUSK say a rule that allows three pupils to every double bus seat amounts to legalised overcrowding.

The Newport-based group has had success with a 1994 campaign to make seatbelts compulsory on minibuses and coaches. Then they collected 160,000 signatures and the law is being changed.

Ms Harris told the Argus: "Overcrowding causes serious discomfort and danger to young children. The three for two rule is 50 years old; first introduced when children were a lot smaller, roads less busy and vehicles went slower. This campaign has been running for a couple of months and we have had amazing support. Everyone from the TGWU to county councils are signing up to support the measure.

"Regulations are in place to transport livestock but none in place to safeguard travelling school children.

"What we want a new consultation document for industry, schools, parents and most importantly children. It is children's safety at risk so their voices must be heard and they can sign the petition as well." Ms Harris has enlisted the help of Monmouth MP Huw Edwards to promote the campaign.

Mr Edwards has successfully worked to make Monmouthshire the first local authority to abolish the three for two seating rule on buses. Next week Mr Edwards is tabling an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons calling for MPs to support the BUSK campaign. Mr Edwards said: "I am very pleased that the petition is gaining support.

"In Monmouthshire we have resolved this issue but national regulations should be changed. I think the Early Day Motion next week will get a lot of backing from other MPs."

The petition will be presented to Parliament in September. If you would like a copy of the petition contact BUSK on 01633 274944 or e-mail: busk.beltupschoolkids@btopenworld.com

PICTURED: Monmouth MP Huw Edwards, left, is supporting the seatbelts campaign.