PLANS to block alleyways used by criminals must not prevent North Yorkshire children from being able to walk to school, MPs have been warned.

Geoff Gardner, North Yorkshire County Council's school transport expert, said efforts to cut crime must be balanced against the need to cut congestion on the school run.

He was giving evidence to an Education and Skills Select Committee investigation into the Government's School Transport Bill.

Ministers are keen to encourage more children to travel to school on foot or bike.

In a written submission to the committee, Mr Gardner said new housing developments should give at least "equal priority" to walking or cycling as to crime-fighting initiatives.

He highlighted the police-backed Secured by Design initiative - which encourages footpath closures.

Advice issued by the initiative states: "It is recognised that too many footpaths and through roads in developments help to make crime easier to commit.

"They provide a choice of alternative escape routes from the scene of the crime, rather than obliging the offender to return by the way he came.

"The opportunity to take a different route gives him the anonymity and safety he seeks, as opposed to the dangers of returning the same way, where he may have already been noticed.

"The more alternative routes there are, the more confident the wrongdoer feels, and the easier it is to commit crime."

In two pages of evidence, Mr Gardner also called for close monitoring of school selection policies which lead to children travelling long distances.

MPs were told that North Yorkshire County Council was at the forefront of the national drive to encourage children to walk or get the bus to school.

Schools are urged to set up a five-minute "Walkzone", with all parents given a map of quick and safe routes.

Youngsters are taught how to buy a ticket on a real bus and how to "smile at the driver", he said.

Updated: 10:44 Thursday, May 06, 2004