An inquiry into the use of cars to get children to and from school will be launched later this month.

Members of the transport, environment and communities select committee at Buckinghamshire County Council say they want to explore alternative, “healthier” options for parents and carers to make the school journey.

Chairman David Carroll said with planned housing growth across Buckinghamshire, school expansion and the building of new schools could lead to worse congestion and parking around roads serving schools.

He said: “We want to see if it's possible to reduce the number of car journeys to school.

“By exploring alternative, healthier modes of travel to school, we'll have the opportunity to see what good models schools are using across the county, and what good practice could be shared.

“It goes without saying that moving cars present a danger to our children, and where there is less congestion, the risks reduce.

“We're pretty sure enforcement at pinch points around school roads isn’t being effective, so we want to look at other methods that do work.”

The select committee will gather evidence for two days from head teachers, travel planning co-ordinators, junior road safety officers, police, fire service community safety officers, and national experts early next month.

Members of the select committee want to see how “sustainable” travel initiatives already in place have changed “travel-to-school” habits, and whether these could be adopted more widely.

A final inquiry report will be published at the end of March and recommendations will be made to the cabinet in April.