The inter-departmental advisory group, set up by the government two years ago, also wants to make it easier for pupils to go to school by bicycle or on foot.

Walking and cycling will make pupils healthier, says headteacher Angela Rundle

A primary headteacher in west London, Angela Rundle, says that the proposals to could also help to make children healthier.

"I'm concerned by the amount of time children spend sitting in front of televisions and computer games. Walking and cycling are much healthier - and the more children who are able to get on their bikes or walk to school with their friends, the better it will be for all of us," she said.

At present, the committee says only one in eleven primary pupils travel to school unaccompanied, compared to one in five a decade ago.

This means that up to a fifth of cars on the road during the morning and afternoon rush hours are believed to be parents on the school run.

In order to reverse this trend and to cut down on the ensuing traffic congestion, the advisory group has recommended ways in which parents and children could be find alternatives to the school run.

As well as cheaper bus fares, the committee says there is a need more road safety education to help those planning to walk to school.

There is also a call for schools to cater for cyclists with safe storage spaces and lockers for bikes and helmets.

Around schools there should be tighter enforcement of parking, speeding and other traffic regulations.

The committee also wants buses to be more carefully targeted towards school routes, with improved training for the drivers.

Transport Minister Keith Hill said the proposals would encourage alternatives to the school run. "We need to see less congestion on the roads, greater and healthier choices for the way children travel, and improved safety."

But the Shadow Education Secretary, Theresa May, warned that parents should still be allowed the right to drive children to school if it was the most appropriate choice for them.

"We want to see much more freedom at school level to develop innovative solutions that meet local school transport needs."