Radical plans being put in place to slash car use on the school run, cut pollution and improve pupils' health will become a reality across England after new powers come into force on April 1st.

For the first time all councils will have to put pupil safety and sustainable travel on the school run at the heart of their transport policies - promoting walking, cycling, car sharing and bus use to and from school.

Local authorities will get an extra £4 million in order to collect information about how their pupils get to and from school.

All schools will need to make sure they have developed 'travel plans' by 2010 so that future transport facilities can be better planned to include more cycle paths, walkways and bus services to school.

This builds on existing funding to cut car use on the school run.

10,000 schools have already successfully developed approved plans with more than £20 million in capital grants invested to support them.

13% of all urban car journeys in term-time weekdays between 8am and 9am are taking children to school. This rises to almost 19% at 8.50am - the peak time for parents taking children to school. The Department for Transport's National Travel Survey (NTS) shows that the proportion of pupils travelling to school by car has doubled over the past 20 years. This creates local congestion and is bad for the environment.

Schools Minister, Andrew Adonis said: "We are taking action to encourage local councils to put tackling the school run congestion at the heart of their transport policies. We already have some radical, innovative schemes across England - but these should be the norm.

"The increased congestion caused by driving to school puts children's safety at risk. We need to encourage parents to stop driving their children to school and start choosing better options of walking, cycling or using buses. We want to see many more examples of car sharing as well.

"Walking and cycling to school regularly can help make daily exercise part of children's and parent's lifestyles - bringing significant health and environmental benefits.

"The Chancellor announced in his budget an increase in road tax on gas guzzling cars, we hope this acts as a deterrent for those parents who drive their children to school when there are alternatives."

Quote from Transport Minister Tom Harris: Tom Harris said: "Bikeability is a great way to get our children cycling safely from an early age. We want our children to be safer, more confident cyclists and to encourage healthier, greener transport options. The pilots for Bikeability have been a runaway success and I am confident that the national roll out will see big increases in the number of people rediscovering the joys of travelling on two wheels."