SLOWER driving could slash the number of cars on the road at peak times, says Warrington Cycle Campaign.

The group says the main reason that parents drive their children to school, making up 20 per cent of the rush hour traffic, is because they do not think the roads are safe enough to cycle or walk along.

Rod King, of WCC, said: "It should be clear that if motorists could be persuaded to drive slower, they would enable parents to confidently allow their children to cycle to school instead of being driven."

Mr King travelled to Warrington's twin town of Hilden in Germany last summer to look at its cycling facilities, and found that 20 mph speed limits are taken for granted throughout most northern European cities.

Enforcing slower speeds and promoting cycling and buses means northern European cities have 40 per cent fewer cars per 100 journeys than Warrington.

These cities also have fewer road casualties and a healthier population.

Mr King continued: "This is the foundation for road usage that encompasses a healthy balance of motors, cycles and pedestrians.

"It also makes little difference to journey times as these are inevitably dictated by the amount of time a vehicle is stopped rather than its speed when in motion."

Mr King is now calling for motorists, parents, politicians, police and council officers to come together to see changes like these happen in Warrington.

He said: "The answer to easing congestion is not providing more space for cars, but providing more alternatives.

"Once we can get our heads around this idea and start taking action to mimic the success of our European neighbours, we can really make a difference in easing congestion."