Fears that schools reopening after Easter would cause traffic chaos in Bradford on Avon eased this week.

The first day back for all pupils on Wednesday brought long delays during the morning and afternoon school run because of the Market Street road closure, but yesterday traffic flowed more freely.

The road closed on April 7 for drainage works, in preparation for the creation of the Historic Core Zone, and will reopen on May 6.

Bradford on Avon PCSO Andrew MacLachlan said yesterday: “It is always going to be bad on the first day or two but I would like to think that people are now leaving more time for their journeys.

“People need to plan; leave earlier, try to walk if they can or try to find alternative routes if they can.”

St Laurence School posted a message on its website reminding parents and pupils to allow extra time for their journey into school due to ‘significant disruption to travel’.

Fitzmaurice Primary School headteacher Tracey Dunn said the traffic had been “horrendous” on Wednesday and staff had to adjust their journey times.

Shane McCracken, chairman of governors, left early with his two children. He said: “We will continue to leave early, we don’t have a choice. We have to get the children to school on time.”

St Laurence School posted a message on its website reminding parents and pupils to allow extra time for their journey into school due to ‘significant disruption’.

Headteacher Fergus Stewart said: “We have not noticed any significant impact on attendance and we are very appreciative that parents have heeded the advice given out before the Easter break.”

Pupils at Christ Church Primary School returned on Tuesday.

Caron Staddon, of Woolley Street, who is chairman of the school Friends walks her two sons to school.

She said: “It was absolute chaos and was for most of the morning. I don’t think parents realised how bad it would be because it was the first day back. I hope it encourages more people to walk to school.

“On Tuesday traffic was at a standstill all morning. The traffic has been better this morning. It is still busy but there seems to be more movement.”

Traders are keen to remind people that that they are open for business and there will be free parking in the town on Saturday and Saturday, May 3.