School run congestion 'damaging economy', report claims

Many children are being driven to school when they could walk or cycle - that's according to a joint report by the Institute of Directors and the sustainable transport charity Sustrans Cymru.

Their figures show three-quarters of school journeys in the Cardiff area are less than two miles – and almost three in 10 are under a mile.

The report claims that school run traffic is aggravating rush hour congestion and increasing costs for businesses.

People travelling to work just before 9am won't be surprised to learn that one in five of the cars on the road in term time are on the 'school run'.

Most primary school children live within walking or cycling distance of their school and we would like to see greater efforts made to ease morning congestion. In these tough times, it is another chance to help Wales' businesses become more competitive.

As International Walk to School Month begins, people are being encouraged to leave their cars at home for short journeys.

Children are routinely being driven to school, creating rush-hour congestion and building up significant knock-on consequences for their own long-term health and the environment.

Cardiff City councillors recently voted in favour of development plans which include improved public transport links in and around the city.