Children try greener way to get to school
PARK AND STRIDE AIMS TO REDUCE CONGESTION AND GET PUPILS ACTIVE
Park and strides can help reduce congestion, get kids active and healthier and reduce air pollution Ozzy O’Shea
TRIALS have taken place of a programme to get children walking safely to school.
Park and stride schemes involve the use of car parks for children who then walk the rest of the way – normally five to 10 minutes – to school accompanied by their parents, carers or guardians.
The schemes aim to reduce traffic congestion, as well as helping children to be more active, while benefiting the environment.
The county council said the launch of the scheme at All Saints Church of England Primary in Sapcote was a great success, with over 100 children – more than a third of the pupils – taking part.
Councillor Ozzy O’Shea, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “The park and stride scheme is a really exciting new way we can tackle several problems at once.
“Park and strides can help reduce traffic congestion, get kids active and healthier and reduce air pollution near schools all at once.
“I’m pleased we’ve got several schools which have taken up this option to begin with, and I look forward to park and stride coming to even more schools very soon”.
Children at Sherrier Primary, in Lutterworth, took part in their own park and stride scheme.
The children acted as junior safety officers, teaching their peers about road safety. The other schools that took part in the trial were Townlands Primary, in Earl Shilton, and Woodland Grange Primary, in Oadby.
The council said it hopes park and stride will expand to include more schools.
More schemes will open next month to mark National Walking Month. Schools are also being encouraged to work with businesses to launch their own schemes, such as by using local car parks which are available at off-peak times.