County pupils join national walk campaign

The County Council’s Safer Routes to School (SRtS) and TravelWise teams are providing schools, nurseries and Children and Family Centres with a range of resources, competitions and activities to support their efforts.

Primary schools will receive classroom registers, stickers, leaflets and posters to help them take part in the event. Following the success of last year’s competition, this year there is a creative writing and drawing competition for pupils in years one to six. The winning design will be displayed in libraries across the county.

In partnership with the Library Service, Walk to School themed Library visits for some primary schools will also take place in the Littlehampton, Crawley and Worthing areas.

Children will be encouraged to get the most out of their local Libraries as well as listen to stories about walking and cycling.

Every West Sussex pupil who takes part in Walk to School Week will receive a voucher for one free DVD loan at their local Library.

In secondary schools the County Council is joining forces with Living Streets, a national sustainable transport charity, to offer schools a campaign kit. Called ‘Free Your Feet’, it is an all school walking challenge designed to get students active on their journeys to and from school.

Lionel Barnard, Deputy Leader of the County Council with responsibility for Highways and Transport, said: “The Walk to School campaign is now in its 14th year in West Sussex and these activities, available to all of our students, help to raise awareness of the importance of road safety as well as the health, environmental and economic benefits of using sustainable modes of transport.

“The week highlights there are alternatives to car travel for the school run”.