BASINGSTOKE and Hampshire County councils are planning to spend more than £1 million over the next five years on a "safer journeys to school" programme.

A total of £1.3 million has been set aside by the two councils for improvements to roads and footpaths and get-to-school travel plans - including provision of school buses.

The borough's Cabinet will tonight be asked to agree to release £300,000 over the next two years - its share of the cash injection for the whole five-year scheme.

Cllr Ron Hussey, Cabinet member for environmental sustainability, said: "The programme will contribute towards reducing car travel by encouraging more children to walk and cycle to school or use public transport.

"Measures include improved road safety outside school entrances and routes to school. Over time the programme will help tackle the problems of health, safety and damage to the environment associated with a rise in car journeys.

"We can't stop people taking their children to school by car because many of them have to go onto work afterwards. But you can make it easier to walk and not convenient to park.

"I think the best hope is through the children and trying to educate changes in them rather than by force."

Council leader Rob Donnelly said: "You only have to stand outside any school in the borough in the morning to see cars parked on both sides of the road, drivers in a hurry and kids coming out between parked cars.

"There is definitely a need for this to reduce the danger to children and the number of road casualties."

Cllr Keith Estlin, Hampshire County Council's executive member for environment, said: "The county council has given the safer journeys to school initiative a high priority in its local transport plan.

"We are delighted to jointly undertake this programme which we hope will help us tackle congestion and encourage healthier lifestyles by providing real alternatives to the car on the school run - as well as boosting our efforts to cut the number of child casualties."