CAR drivers in the Vale have been enjoying an easy ride over the past six weeks. Journeys to work have been quicker and less stressful, while nipping out to the shops or out to see friends and family has been as relaxed as a soak in a warm bath.

This phenomenon occurs three times a year - during the school holidays.

According to Government statistics, 20 per cent of morning rush hour traffic is caused by the school run and about 40 per cent of primary pupils and 20 per cent of secondary pupils - twice as many as 20 years ago - are driven to school.

A year ago the Department for Education and Skills launched 'Travelling to School - an action plan' to boost walking, cycling and bus travel, and to tackle congestion associated with the school run.

It is providing £50 million over two years to support safe and healthy travel to school schemes.

Schools and local education authorities have to implement school travel plans which include such measures as safer routes to schools for children, road crossings, dedicated cycle ways, secure cycle storage, improved public transport and, working with police and transport companies, ways of improving behaviour on school buses.

And recent successes in Worcestershire have included better pedestrian access to St Andrew's First School, Hampton, Evesham, and better cycle storage a St Egwin's School, Evesham.

County Council TravelWise fficer, Nicky Luff, said: "The Safer Routes to School initiative has been going for at least six years and one of the schools that has benefited recently is St Andrew's where a pedestrian access means that pupils, parents and staff on foot do not have to mix with vehicles.

"The majority of schools in the Wychavon district have joined the scheme but we prioritise schools where there are traffic access problems. Safety is or main priority."

With the help of transport experts and information from parents, the school decides what improvements it wants and, together with the county council and cash from the Government, helps to implement the changes.

"At St Egwin's they wanted a cycle stands and we have installed 20 new stands there. We have also promoted walking buses. The one in Honeybourne has resulted in a nine per cent increase in the number of children walking to school," she said.

The county council even provides waterproof coats, umbrellas and reflective jackets for those in the walking bus.

County councillor John Smith, advisor to the cabinet member for environmental services and Hampton resident, said: "In some cases where schools are in a residential area, it is a case of a fatal accident waiting to happen. We have to encourage parents to use other ways to get their kids into school.

"I can understand parents' concern about letting their children walk but the environmental and health benefits of walking and cycling are far greater than going by car."