Thousands more children around the country could soon be going greener in getting to school, after Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander announced a £15million boost for walking to school initiatives today.
The new investment is mainly aimed at setting up 'walking buses', and could mean the creation of thousands of new ones around the country. Schools can also apply for grants to support other walking to school initiatives.
The money will provide grants for primary schools for up to 3 years. They could use it to:
* pay a teaching assistant to act as 'walking bus' co-ordinator/organiser who would also promote the scheme to parents and seek support from local businesses
* provide incentives to children for taking part in the buses
* provide an escort for a 'walking bus' for an initial period;
* pay the cost of assessing 'walking bus' routes.
Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander said:
"Walking to school isn't just a good way for children to get more exercise and learn important road safety skills - it can also help cut down on congestion and help to combat climate change.
"That's why I want to help as many schools around the country as possible start their own 'walking bus' schemes. They offer children the chance to get to school in a way that's safe, sustainable, and hopefully - fun."
Children's Minister Parmjit Dhanda said:
"Walking to school is a great way to get some fresh air and wake up ready for a day of learning. As part of the new Education and Inspections Act, local authorities now have a new responsibility to promote sustainable travel to school, which means this funding comes at a particularly good time. I hope that many more schools will now be able to introduce 'walking buses' which are a safe, fun and environmentally friendly way of getting to and from school."
The new investment comes in addition to the £7.5 million a year DfT and DfES jointly already spend on the Travelling to School project, which encourages sustainable travel to school. As a result of the project, more than 10,000 schools in England now have a school travel plan in place.
Also published today was a best practice guide on creating 'Links to Schools' - safe and convenient routes for children to walk and cycle to school. The Government contributed £10million to the 'Links to Schools' project. Between 2004 and 2005, the project has created 147 new links, connecting over 300 schools to their communities, allowing up to 200,000 children to walk or cycle to school.
The new investment is mainly aimed at setting up 'walking buses', and could mean the creation of thousands of new ones around the country. Schools can also apply for grants to support other walking to school initiatives.
The money will provide grants for primary schools for up to 3 years. They could use it to:
* pay a teaching assistant to act as 'walking bus' co-ordinator/organiser who would also promote the scheme to parents and seek support from local businesses
* provide incentives to children for taking part in the buses
* provide an escort for a 'walking bus' for an initial period;
* pay the cost of assessing 'walking bus' routes.
Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander said:
"Walking to school isn't just a good way for children to get more exercise and learn important road safety skills - it can also help cut down on congestion and help to combat climate change.
"That's why I want to help as many schools around the country as possible start their own 'walking bus' schemes. They offer children the chance to get to school in a way that's safe, sustainable, and hopefully - fun."
Children's Minister Parmjit Dhanda said:
"Walking to school is a great way to get some fresh air and wake up ready for a day of learning. As part of the new Education and Inspections Act, local authorities now have a new responsibility to promote sustainable travel to school, which means this funding comes at a particularly good time. I hope that many more schools will now be able to introduce 'walking buses' which are a safe, fun and environmentally friendly way of getting to and from school."
The new investment comes in addition to the £7.5 million a year DfT and DfES jointly already spend on the Travelling to School project, which encourages sustainable travel to school. As a result of the project, more than 10,000 schools in England now have a school travel plan in place.
Also published today was a best practice guide on creating 'Links to Schools' - safe and convenient routes for children to walk and cycle to school. The Government contributed £10million to the 'Links to Schools' project. Between 2004 and 2005, the project has created 147 new links, connecting over 300 schools to their communities, allowing up to 200,000 children to walk or cycle to school.
No comments:
Post a Comment