A walking bus provides a safe way to get to school

Nearly 30 schools are already in areas which have a 20mph speed limit and the city council hopes to increase this to 51 by 2011.

In a bid to reduce the number of children taken to school by car, 30 schools will be helped to set up walking bus schemes.

And all the city's schools are being encouraged to provide better facilities for cyclists and pedestrians.

These could include bike stands and playground waiting shelters for parents.

Councillor Andrew Carter said: "Safety in our communities and around schools is especially important.

"So we are working with local residents and schools on a number of initiatives to raise awareness of road safety issues and encourage more people to leave the car at home and use alternative methods of transport for the journey to schools."