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'Too many' car school-run trips 'Slow progress' to end school run
(about 23 hours later)
Progress on tackling the car school-run in London has been "disappointingly slow", a report claims.Progress on tackling the car school-run in London has been "disappointingly slow", a report claims.
Only 33.9% of primary schools had approved travel plans for non-car journeys to school by 2006. Only 33.9% of primary schools had made plans to encourage pupils to get to classes without a car journey by 2006.
This was below the England average of 40%, said the report for the London Assembly's transport committee. This was below the England average of 40%, said the London Assembly's transport committee report.
Transport for London (TfL) said the assembly's figures were out of date and it was spinning the story in "pursuit of publicity ahead of the facts".
Mayor Ken Livingstone wants every school in London to have a school travel plan by 2009 to help cut congestion and pollution.Mayor Ken Livingstone wants every school in London to have a school travel plan by 2009 to help cut congestion and pollution.
During the school term, one in five cars on the road in London at 0850 GMT is on the school run, the report said. But the report found, during the school term, one in five cars on the road in London at 0850 GMT was on the school run.
Transport network
Nearly one third of children in London travel to school by car despite London's extensive transport network, it added.Nearly one third of children in London travel to school by car despite London's extensive transport network, it added.
Schools resistant
The report was undertaken to assess whether London was on course to meet the 2009 target.The report was undertaken to assess whether London was on course to meet the 2009 target.
In May 2006, 1,034 (33.9%) of London's 3,052 primary schools had an approved travel plan. In May 2006, 1,034 of London's 3,052 primary schools had an approved travel plan.
"Progress since May 2006 seems to have been disappointingly slow," said the report."Progress since May 2006 seems to have been disappointingly slow," said the report.
There has been a 5.5% reduction in car journeys to school in London TfL spokesman
By February 2007, only 50 more schools had approved travel plans, it noted.By February 2007, only 50 more schools had approved travel plans, it noted.
However, Transport for London (TfL) said 545 more schools were due to implement travel plans by May. The report found some schools were simply resistant to travel plans and were unwilling to divert resources to the initiative despite TfL providing £34.4m in 2007/8 to help schools.
The report said significant progress was needed in London if the 2009 target was to be reached.
TfL has provided £34.4m in 2007/8 to help schools develop travel plans.
But the report found some schools were simply resistant to travel plans and were unwilling to divert resources to the initiative.
It called on TfL to develop a strategy to engage with schools "which have so far resisted encouragement to develop travel plans".
London Assembly member John Biggs said "Parents who drive their children to and from school need to be convinced that the alternatives are practical and safe."London Assembly member John Biggs said "Parents who drive their children to and from school need to be convinced that the alternatives are practical and safe."
A TfL spokesman said: "The assembly's spin demonstrates the pursuit of publicity ahead of the facts.
"The question that should be asked of John Biggs is why he is relying on information that is six months out of date, when the truth is that London is leading the way in school travel planning and has also delivered a significant cut in school car journeys.
"There has been a 5.5% reduction in car journeys to school in London, meaning thousands fewer car trips every day."