Plans to stagger school run would be 'a nightmare'

Government plans to stagger school opening times to cut traffic jams are an unworkable "nightmare", headteachers warned today.

Ministers are pressing ahead with a clampdown on the school run in a bid to tackle childhood obesity rates and ease rush hour congestion.

But heads said parents would never agree to such disruption to their lives. Many teachers were parents themselves and there were just too many practical difficulties.

The Government wants legislation to cut school run traffic despite criticism from MPs. The School Transport Bill will encourage local authorities to find ways of getting children to walk or cycle to school. And it will let councils raise cash for projects by charging for school bus services that used to be free.

Transport minister David Jamieson said: "With almost one in five cars on urban roads on the school run each morning, it's time to try different approaches to manage our roads more efficiently, tackle congesting and provide children and parents with healthy and safe alternatives to the car."

School head David Hart argued that the policy of staggering opening times conflicted with the Government's plan for schools to open from 8am to 6pm every day.