IN THE past most children walked or cycled to school.

Only a handful of pupils arrived by car, but that situation has reversed, resulting in what has become known as the ‘school run’.

As the autumn term begins, research has revealed the pressures faced by parents and other motorists on school run routes.

With almost half of those surveyed – both parents and non-parents – using the same routes to travel, it is clear that the school run creates some significant congestion points.

The research, by leading vehicle auction company BCA, found a third of motorists regularly see children getting out of cars at the roadside and 57 per cent witnessed illegal parking around schools during the school run.

It found 46 per cent of motorists believe parents drive their children to school because it takes too long to walk and 30 per cent of non-parents believe children demand to be driven to school, compared with 17 per cent of parents. Bradford Council’s road safety team works hard to create a safe journey to school for all pupils, whatever their means of transport. They encourage parents to walk with their children where at all possible. “There are a number of good reasons why,” says Sue Snoddy, casualty reduction and road safety partnership manager. “It’s an opportunity to teach and learn road skills. It’s healthy, non-polluting, friendly, less stressful and economical.

“Some parents do drive unnecessarily. Some also drive their children to school through necessity – as the survey suggests it can take too long to walk and public transport can be unreliable. Different children may go to different schools and in many households both parents work and drop off children on the way.”

But, she adds: “Whatever the reason for using the car it’s no excuse to park illegally, inconsiderately or irresponsibly, and we put this message out. Child safety should always come first – parents should plan ahead and park away from school entrances and residents’ driveways. They should also make sure their children get our on the pavement side of the car.”

The BCA survey found that 44 per cent of motorists had seen parents and children not looking at oncoming traffic when opening car doors and a third had seen children running across the road.

Illegal parking outside and around schools during the school run had been witnessed by 57 cent of both parents and non-parents.

Cars parked illegally, particularly in the zig-zag-marked areas, not only cause congestion, but restrict visibility for parents and children on their way to school The road safety team visit schools and speak to parents and children about their journeys to school. They produce literature offering advice such as finding safe places to cross, keeping clear of marked, restricted, areas when parking and ensuring children don’t get out into the road. It also urges them not to park on both sides of the street or close to a junction, and to allow plenty of time for their journey. Parents of new starters receive such information before the summer break.

Children are reminded to cross the road safely, from suitable crossing places, to be alert and avoid distractions such as mobile phones. Advice is also issued to Year Six pupils before they begin secondary school. “Our team also recommends safety checks for children who cycle to school – getting their bikes checked over,” says Sue. “Parents are also advised to ensure children wear helmets and high-visibility jackets as well as having lights fitted.”

Schools also work with Bradford Police and other emergency services to highlight road safety issues. Last summer, staff at Crossley Hall Primary School in Fairweather Green worked with Police Community Support Officers to raise awareness. Year Six pupils gave out parking advice slips to parents parked on the yellow lines outside schools and parked unsafely on pavements. Good parkers were rewarded with a sticker. It was followed by a special assembly on road safety.

Baildon councillor Debbie Davis (Lab), who has been working with transport authorities to try and re-route school buses to pick up more children and reduce traffic, says: “I think the worst thing is people parking on corners of junctions – they would never do it at other times of day.”

Councillor Valerie Slater, Bradford Council’s executive member for housing, planning and transport, says: “Starting school is a big event for children and their families and we want to make sure that their journey to and from school is as safe as possible.”