A COUNCIL leader has raised concerns over the logistics of getting children to school whilst trying to maintain social distancing measures.

Earlier today education minister Kirsty Williams announced all schools in Wales would reopen at the end of this month.

She said they would be open to pupils from all year groups for limited periods during the week to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The Welsh Liberal Democrat minister added only a third of youngsters would be allowed in at any one time with schools and local authorities told to make their own decisions over managing the return.

However, the leader of Wrexham Council believes it will cause significant problems in terms of arranging transport.

Cllr Mark Pritchard said the authority would likely need to find double the number of buses because of the two-metre social distancing rule.

He said: “We’ve been waiting for an announcement from Kirsty with regards to schools and reopening, but behind that is the transport and the discussions with the unions and the teachers.

“The most important thing is how we get the children to school. If we keep social distancing, which I think we will because the Welsh Government has stuck to that, how are you going to transport all the children to school?

“You’re going to need double the transport buses because you’ll have to have social distancing on all the buses.

“There’s a lot of discussions and debates behind all this and that’s just one example.”

Cllr Pritchard said a lot of work had previously been carried out to allow recycling centres across Wrexham to reopen.

He highlighted how the council had to negotiate through 15 different health and safety policies in order to mitigate the risk.

In response to the issues he raised, Ms Williams said local authorities would receive guidance on transport next week.

She also encouraged parents to allow their children to walk or cycle to school where possible.

Speaking at today’s daily government press conference, she said: “Transport is one of those wicked problems that isn’t going to go away while social distancing rules are with us, whether that be now or whether that be in September.

“We need to begin to grapple with those situations now and not just leave it until September.

“As I said earlier, there will be guidance issued next week, and that will specifically have a section on transport.

“We’re working with local government colleagues who commissioned and buy that service for their students so that we can make that as safe as we possibly can.

“I would say to parents, those of whom perhaps will have the opportunity to walk, scoot or cycle safely to their local school, that obviously, those active travel measures are the perfect way to travel to school.”

She added that she recognised for those who live a considerable distance away from their school, this would not be possible.