A new council committee has been set up to look at how the number of school journeys made by car can be reduced.

In a January census of schools, it was found that almost 30% of journeys to primary schools were made by car. And after numerous complaints from local residents about the impact of cars dropping children off at school, Holgate councillor James Alexander registered a ‘Schools Travel Plans and Safe Routes to Schools' scrutiny topic.

Committee Chair Coun. Ruth Potter explained more about what the cross-party committee of councillors will be considering, saying:

"A great many school trips are still made by car, and those people that are out on the road both in and out of school term time will notice the difference. We will be reviewing existing school travel plans to find out how well they are working.

"Although primary schools service different catchments, the difference in percentage of car journeys taken to and from school is stark. For example, the January census shows that for two schools with comparable numbers of pupils, that at one 58% of journeys to school were taken by car, while at the other the figure was only 15.4%

"We need to understand why such a disparity exists, and find ways to encourage changes in behaviour. We will be looking at examples of best practice both locally and nationally, including what has been learned from the last Car Free Day.

"But perhaps most importantly we will be visiting schools to find out from parents and carers what factors determine how they take their children to school. The significant impact of the school run was raised by the Traffic Congestion Scrutiny Committee and we hope to build on the good work undertaken there. Those with views on this topic are encouraged to write to me as Chair as we want as wide a range of views as possible".