West Berkshire Council is giving grants of £3,750 plus £5 a pupil to Speenhamland, Robert Sandilands, both John Rankins and Greenham Court schools as long as they come up with a plan to cut car use on Newbury’s roads.

Councillor for Children and Young People Graham Pask said: "These schools are actively and enthusiastically encouraging children and staff to embrace healthy habits by walking, cycling or car sharing. Most children have cycles and enjoy riding them and there is increasing evidence that exercise improves alertness of children in class.

“School Travel Plans promote cycle training and usage, which could hopefully, result in less cars on the school run making it even safer for children to walk or cycle to school. Walking to school helps to develop road safety awareness and creates an opportunity for more social time for children and parents."

The government has ordered all schools to have travel plans by 2010, but Newbury’s three comprehensives have yet to start the task.