PUPILS living within five miles of their school are being urged to cycle in from September to limit the risk posed by coronavirus.

Dr Robin Bevan, headteacher of Southend High School for Boys, has written to parents outlining plans for students to return, months after the global pandemic took hold.

He wants as many students as possible to avoid buses travelling to and from school which come in the light of social distancing fears.

Dr Bevan said: “Every pupil living within five miles of the school should see cycling as their first and most appropriate travel option.”

Pupils have also been advised to travel solo or be accompanied by those in the same year group.

Pupils arriving on the c2c train services are specifically directed to walk to/from the station – most likely Chalkwell or Westcliff - to avoid risks and adding pressure to bus services.

School contract buses are running as normal with additional sanitation and pupils will be required to use the same seat for their outward and return journeys.

For Arriva and First buses serving south Essex, there is concern about capacity on board due to social distancing restrictions which may limit numbers of pupils getting from home to school.

This may see many pupils left behind at bus stops, it is feared.

Amanda Thorn, 48, whose son goes to school in Benfleet but lives in Leigh, is torn on what the best travel option is for her son.

She said: “My son who is going into Year 9 gets the bus to and from school but I am worried at how this is all going to pan out.

“I know they are taking less passengers on the buses now so I don’t like the idea of my son being stuck waiting at a bus stops amongst a load of other kids and adults waiting for a bus with available space.

“I just hope they will have introduced extra buses where it’s needed especially around schools and during peak times that children travel.

“We will have to see how it goes but obviously my son’s safety comes first.”

However, Julian Elliott, commercial manager at First Essex bus company, stressed: “We have been working closely with local schools to ensure there is appropriate transport provision in place to facilitate travel for students returning to school next week.

“All journeys will run in accordance with guidelines set out by the Department for Transport for dedicated school and commercially-operated bus journeys.

“Face coverings are mandatory for children over 11 on local bus services, but are not mandatory on dedicated school buses, although we strongly recommend and encourage students using these services to wear a face covering unless they have an exemption.”