Eileen Prior: A tricky balancing act between health, safety and convenience

THERE are many pressures on parents over how their children are transported to school, but generally they will do what they feel is best in their individual circumstances.

It's a balancing act between ensuring youngsters are safe and encouraging their independence and health.

There are other factors, such as work, which play into this, especially in difficult economic times. People have to be sure they can hold on to their jobs, and may not have the flexible working hours that would make it easier for them to walk their children to school. Parents driving their children to school are often on their way to work.

Road safety is another big issue. In urban areas, walking and cycling can be very problematic, especially for younger children. You can live five minutes away from a school but still have heavy traffic and a major road to cross.

The scope for introducing measures such as cycle paths is variable, and conditions will vary enormously between areas. Many parents tackle this by ensuring youngsters walk in groups.

A major concern is that local authority transport is under pressure financially and councils are looking hard at what the legislation demands of them.

School bus services provided by local authorities are likely to be reduced to the legislative minimum and the temptation for parents will be to chauffeur their children.

We are entering a period where the funding of public services is coming under increased pressure.

Perhaps this is an opportunity to look more closely at sustainable and active transport options which would reduce costs and increase activity levels among school pupils. Alternatives which have been shown to have positive outcomes, especially for primary pupils, include safer routes to schools for walking and cycling, and walking buses.

It is time to be creative, for many reasons.

• Eileen Prior is executive director of the Scottish Parent Teacher Council.