21 - Dudley children step out for walk to school week

Primary school children across the Dudley borough will this week be taking part in a national initiative to encourage people to walk to school.

Dudley Council’s road safety and travel awareness team have invited all primary schools in the borough to take part in national walk to school week which runs throughout the week (May 19 to 23).

By encouraging families to leave their cars at home and walk to school, pupils will be able to explore the local environment through sound and find out just how much gets missed each day by being cocooned in cars, whether it’s the sound of birds tweeting or chatting to their friends. It is also an opportunity for children to get to know their communities through walking to school.

Councillor Angus Adams, cabinet member for transportation, said:

“Walk to school week is a great opportunity for children and parents to walk the school journey together. Walking is an excellent form of exercise and at the same time teaches children valuable road safety skills. Leaving the cars at home cuts down on pollution and drastically reduces school gate congestion. I hope every primary school in Dudley will take part”.

Note to Editors

· The number of children travelling to school by car over the past 20 years has doubled. (Dept for Transport)

· In 2006, just over half (52%) of trips to school by children aged five to 10 were made on foot and 41% were made by car. (Dept for Transport: National Travel Survey 2006)

· Latest figures (DfT, 2006) show that the number of secondary school children involved in traffic accidents while walking to and from school is nearly double that of primary school children. Walking to school is a safe way of weaning children off parental supervision so they are better equipped to travel independently.

· Driving the average school run for a year costs more than £400. (Figure is based on approved mileage rates from the Inland Revenue)

· For more information about the national campaign, visit www.walktoschool.org.uk

News Release Contact Information

Name:	Anthea Jones
Telephone:	01384 815227
Email:	anthea.jones@dudley.gov.uk

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