Highland children walk to school week

Children in the Highlands are being urged to walk to school this week Monday 3 to Friday 7 October by Highland Council’s Road Safety Unit to encourage healthier living, active lifestyles and reduce traffic congestion.

Eighty two Highland schools have already indicated that they are taking part in the October walk to school with the potential of 11,000 pupils opting to tread the pavements or cycle to school instead of hitching a lift with parents or carers.

In Inverness, Highland Council’s Road Safety Officers are working closely with Lochardil Primary School on a “Safer Routes to School” plan and they are currently in the middle of a public consultation to improve road safety in and around the school area.

Chairman of The Highland Council’s TEC Services Committee Councillor John Laing said: “We are delighted that once again so many of our pupils across the Highland area will be choosing active forms of travel to get to/from school.  The number of schools involved shows there is an ongoing commitment for the promotion of active travel to/from school across the Council area.  This commitment is highlighted during the two walk to school weeks every year however the promotion and encouragement of active travel happens throughout the year.”

Highland Council’s actions to improve road safety and reduce accidents and deaths of young people travelling to and from school is part of an international initiative coordinated by the charity “Living Streets” which is backing International Walk to School Month this October. They state that ‘over 40 countries will be encouraging children to ditch the school run!’