School start change 'would cut gridlock'

Jan 10 2008 By Ross Smith, The Journal

Education chiefs in the North-East were yesterday challenged to cut traffic congestion by changing school start times.

North-East Chamber of Commerce chief executive James Ramsbotham said the school run is the "single biggest factor" in creating rush hour jams.

He was speaking at a conference to mark the official launch of Work Wise North-East - a campaign aimed at ending the nine-to-five office culture.

The North-East has become the first region to start its own campaign since a national project was set up last year.

Mr Ramsbotham said: "Throughout history, we have led the way and we're leading the way here with Work Wise.

"I lay down the challenge for local authorities to think if one of them could lead the way and do something more imaginative with school times."

Mr Ramsbotham said yesterday: "Together, all of us can make the North-East the best place in which to live, work and bring up our families.

"We can have a burgeoning economy without the travel chaos endured by our southern brethren."

Work Wise UK chairman David Lennan told the conference: "The nine to five model is obsolete."

And BT regional director Ray Smith insisted that businesses would see the benefits if they allowed staff options such as working from home, flexible hours or job sharing.

Every home worker at BT saves the company £6,000 a year through reduced office costs and is 15-31% more productive, he reported.

"We have increased productivity based on letting people work when they want to work," Mr Smith said.

"Generally speaking, people want to work, do work and can be trusted to work. You have to be able to see the output, but also you have to trust people. You have to assume that most people most of the time will do the right thing."

Organisations which have signed up to support the campaign include the CBI, Government Office North East and One NorthEast.

Click here to read more about the Work Wise campaign

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* 50,000 people work from home in the North-East

* 52% of men and 48% of women want more flexible work

* Four out of five say it would improve their productivity and loyalty

* Three out of four say it would help their family life

* One in five carers have turned down a job opportunity because of difficulties combining caring and work

* Poor balance between work and family life is the number one cause of relationship breakdown

* Managers aged 18-29 are most suspicious of flexible working

Click here to read more about the Work Wise campaign