JUST days after a schoolground accident left five people injured a headteacher applied to have a new driveway and car park built at the school.

Three adults and two ten-year-old pupils were rushed to hospital after the accident at Beacon School, in Amersham Road, Chesham Bois, on June 12.

A Rover automatic driven by disabled parent Alan Wood collided with a group of people as they were leaving the school at the end of the day.

Now the school has applied to close one of its entrances, and build a new entrance, driveway, and additional car parking spaces.

John Cross, who said he was "deeply shocked" by last month's accident, said plans to build a new driveway and car park were prompted by the incident.

He said: "All those involved in the accident are now well on the road to recovery but we certainly feel a sense of responsibility for what took place last month. It is only right that, as a school, we take steps to ensure nothing like this happens again.

"The accident took place in an enclosed area close to the school where parents, pupils and teachers congregate at the end of the school day - an area where there is not much room for vehicles to manoeuvre."

John said the development would provide a new driveway leading to a parking area further away from the school buildings.

He added: "This will mean vehicles are kept further away from members of the school, which will be much safer for all concerned."

Amersham Police Sergeant Duncan Wilson, who attended the scene of last month's accident, said the proposals would improve the school's safety situation "considerably". He said: "The fact that the accident took place in such an enclosed area was probably the reason so many people were injured as they were standing around in groups."

A spokeman for Chiltern District Council's planning department said the application was received on June 24 - less than two weeks after the accident. The closing date for written representations is July 22 and the matter will be debated by planning officers shortly afterwards.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.