WALKING BUSES ON THE MOVE:MORE CHILDREN TO WALK TO SCHOOL (Cheltenham Liberal Democrats)

Cheltenham Liberal Democrats <info@cheltlibdems.org.uk>

WALKING BUSES ON THE MOVE:MORE CHILDREN TO WALK TO SCHOOL

May 11, 2007 6:11 PM

Liberal Democrats on Gloucestershire County Council have welcomed news that 22 schools in Gloucestershire are to receive Government grants to increase the numbers of children walking to school. The investment of £17,000 will be set aside for specific schemes to limit car journeys to and from schools and encourage children to walk under supervision.

The major scheme involved will be the "walking buses". In this scheme, children join a group of their peers under adult supervision who walk a specific route to school which is pre-planned to pass the homes of all children who wish to join.

Twelve schools in Gloucestershire have been awarded £1,000 each to pay for staff time to organise the routes and the adult volunteers who supervise the walking buses. The money will also be spent on safety measures such as visible clothing. It is hoped each £1,000 award will cut at least 5 return school runs per day.

A further ten schools have been awarded £500 each for lesser schemes. These will involve prizes and other forms of recognition for children whose parents walk them to school. It is estimated that each of these investments will reduce 2.5 return car journeys per day.

Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Children and Young People, Charmian Sheppard, drew the scheme to the attention of cabinet members at the last meeting of full council. Cllr Sheppard said: "I am delighted these schools have brought this Government investment into our County. It may not sound like much, but the £17,000 investment in Gloucestershire will increase the number of children walking to school. This can only benefit the environment, and it is certainly good for the health of the children."

Cllr Sheppard added: "Maybe the real benefit of these schemes is that it raises awareness. The walking buses will be seen every day by children who are driven to and from school, and we are hoping that this will increase their interest. Once those who can walk to school get used to the idea, they should see the benefits. Walking takes traffic off the roads, reduces parking problems in schools, cuts carbon emissions, improves the health of the children, and saves the time of parents."

Liberal Democrat group leader, Cllr Jeremy Hilton, said: "We have all seen the congestion outside the school gates as parents wait to collect children from school in the family car. The walking bus should reduce this congestion and provide children with a safe alternative to riding in a car. Walking to and from school should help improve the health of our young people."