Not so many years ago it would have been unthinkable that tens of thousands of pounds would have to be invested into encouraging children to walk or cycle to school.

There were few other options, other than catching a school bus. But times, of course, change, and these days being given a lift to school by a parent is the norm rather than the exception.

So - while the older generation might wonder why it's necessary - a Bradford scheme to get school children on their bikes and on foot is to be encouraged.

One of the bugbears of modern life is the 'school run' and the effect it has - other road users get frustrated at the queues of cars clogging the rush hour roads to drop their youngsters off at the school gates, and in these increasingly ecologically-aware times we are beginning to realise that all this extra traffic on the roads is simply not doing the environment any favours.

Of course, there are perceived to be more dangers for children these days than in years gone by, so it is vitally important that parents are sure their children are safe when going to school.

Which is why the Bradford Council and Education Bradford joint scheme which sets up walking and cycling 'buses' - groups of escorted children travelling together - can only be a good thing.

The use of American-style 'yellow buses' in a bid to cut down on school run traffic has already been hailed a success in Bradford, and these new measures should go a long way to ensuring our children cut down their reliance on 'mum's taxi' to start their day.