CHILDREN are more likely to travel to school by car in Redbridge than any other London borough.

And the news has come as no surprise to residents who live near schools.

According to a Department of Education study, 18.3 per cent of pupils in Redbridge made their way to school by car in the last academic year.

Of the 16,370 pupils attending schools in the borough, 2,997 were most likely to travel to school each day by car, the DoE study says.

Nearby Waltham Forest had the highest proportion of pupils walking to school.

The figures for Redbridge also show that 85.7 per cent of pupils went to schools within the borough.

Pupils also travelled to Barking and Dagenham Barnet, Hackney, Haringey, Havering, Islington, Newham, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest and outside London.

Nicholas Stokes, of Chiltern Way, near Bancroft's School, said the figures came as no surprise. The 75-year-old said: "It seems like a lot of pupils now aren't able to walk.

"When I was at school we would walk two miles or more, it didn't do us any harm and we'd do the same in the evening.

"If they don't want to walk maybe they could get the bus because there are a lot of cars around here in the morning and evening.

"It's a problem that seems to be getting worse but I don't have an answer."

Malcolm Dawes, also of Chiltern Way, said children should be encouraged to walk because of the health benefits.

The 65-year-old said: "When you look at it, there are several private schools around here so the parents can afford to send their children there and also to drive them to school and back each day.

"Since the new parking rules were introduced outside Bancroft's last year I haven't noticed too much of a change, it's generally chaotic.

"Walking should be encouraged more because it will give the children more exercise."

A mother of two children who attend Woodford Green Prep School said she walks her children to school as it is faster than by car.

The mum in her 40s, who would not be named, said: "I guess it depends where you live. I live close enough to walk but if you live two miles away you will drive.

"Public transport is difficult to rely on as you can't guarantee getting to school on time.

"Cycling would be a lovely idea but I would not let my kids do it, it's too dangerous with the way some people drive.

"Maybe more people should be encouraged to lift share."

Alan Weinberg, Redbridge councillor with responsibility for children's services, said there are a range of factors to consider and the figures show thousands of children get to school without going by car.

He said: "I'm surprised that our figure is the highest but we have two grammar schools and faith schools and they all attract children from across the borough and outside the borough.

"The council has an active and ongoing programme of encouraging children to travel by cycling or walking and I think we are doing all we possibly can.

"Parents are not always happy with their children walking for safety reasons but we would encourage it where possible and also car sharing among parents."