THERE is a clear answer to Frank Myers’ question (Letters, April 29): “Where does the remaining 93% of traffic on the A49 go to in Hereford each day?”

The two largest percentages are one) the school run, and two) commuters travelling to and from their jobs.

During the school holidays, Hereford traffic flows freely but not in term time.

In order to make a significant impact on the school run, as many pupils as possible should be actively encouraged to cycle to school on safe off-road cycle routes.

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The six schools, namely Aylestone, Bishop of Hereford Bluecoat, Whitecross, Hereford Academy, Hereford Cathedral and the Sixth Form College cater for pupils in the 11-18 age group. The first two schools in this list need new safe off-road cycle routes constructed from their main school catchment areas.

For Aylestone School, Prospect Walk could be widened, extended and upgraded. For Bishop of Hereford Bluecoat School, Holywell Gutter should be opened up. Fortuitously, Hereford Academy benefits from being next to Great Western Way and Whitecross at the end of the route through Moor Park.

Safe cycle parking then needs to be provided at these schools together with positive encouragement to maximise use of these routes.

Historically, coloured pin badges were awarded to pupils for levels of swimming competence, namely red, green, yellow and blue.

This incentive could be applied for cycling to school. For example: red awarded to cycling to school for 90% of days in their first year, green for 90% of days in their first and second years through to blue for 90% in their first four years.

The school with the overall best result each year could then be awarded a prestigious trophy presented by one of the city’s main cycling dealers.

Pupils leaving for the sixth form college with blue badges could be awarded £200 to help towards the purchase of an electric bike.

Pupils’ health and fitness would be improved, with a reduction in obesity. A cycling culture introduced and set for life with their electric bikes to later encourage cycling to work.

The Rotherwas industrial estate and new Skylon Business Park are Hereford’s largest cluster of main employment and growing rapidly. The many people who work here commute each day, some coming over the new Canary Bridge route, but many by car, quietly held up each day in traffic jams.

This is why a new bridge over the river at Rotherwas is essential.

A bridge four miles upstream at Breinton would be a white elephant.

Councillor Elizabeth Foxton

County Councillor, Eign Hill Ward

Let us know what you think. Send your comments to letters@herefordtimes.com