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School buses plan to ease traffic chaos
SCHOOL buses subsidised by parents should be introduced by transport chiefs to ease traffic chaos, according to campaigners.
The idea is the brainchild of the Schools Travel Action Group (STAG), which opposes plans by the council to phase out school-run parking permits for parents of primary school pupils by next year.
Jackie Orlik, from STAG, said the US-style buses could be financed by the Town Hall if it introduced paid-for scratch card permits for parents who had no alternative but to drive their children to school.
She added: “This scheme acknowledges that the ‘polluter’ pays a reasonable sum, which is then ring-fenced to fund alternatives to the school run that we can all use easily and cheaply when taking the car is not absolutely necessary.”
The plan has the backing of the Traffic Working Group (TWG), which is made up of 19 school heads.
Jane Simmonds, chairman of TWG, said: “Schools are already working with three or four bus companies. We are calling for a meeting to discuss this further.”
A Town Hall press official said that managers were currently consulting widely on the school-run policy and were keen to hear all views.
She added: “Residents have told us school-run traffic causes congestion, pollution and makes streets dangerous for schoolchildren, pedestrians and cyclists.
“We are asking parents, children, residents and school staff for their views on tackling the problems of school-run traffic and parking dispensation permits.
“The consultation runs until April 12 and we want to hear from as many people as possible.” |
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