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News

SUCCESSFUL 'WALKING BUS' PILOT

A brand new ‘walking bus’ for children at Sylvan First School has been extended due to the popularity of the scheme.

Launched last week as part of National Child Safety Week, the scheme has attracted enthusiastic support from children and parents alike.

Lesley Hart, Road Safety Education Officer, Borough of Poole said: "The bus was a great success. As a result of this week’s pilot, we now have two more parent volunteers and the bus will continue to run each morning until the end of term. I hope that even more parents and children will join in the scheme so that we can improve the environment outside our schools and deal with the problems of congestion, illegal parking and pollution."

Trained parent volunteers, recruited from the school, provide ‘drivers’, ‘conductors’ and ‘escorts’ to ensure that children in their care arrive at school safe and sound.

Each bus comes complete with a ‘driver’, ‘conductor’ and ‘escort’ who wear fluorescent jackets and carry brightly coloured umbrellas. The ‘Bus drivers’ are equipped with a rucksack containing first aid equipment and every child who gets on the bus wears an armband. Children can join the bus at a series of ‘bus stops’ along the designated route.

The pilot project, also launched at Elmrise Primary School in Bournemouth, is funded by Travelwise, the campaign to encourage sensible car use and promote alternative transport options including walking, cycling and public transport.

Jane Foster, one of the parent escorts said: "As parents from the local community we are all concerned about the risk to our children's health from pollution caused by car fumes. Let's hope that as more children walk to school our local environment will become healthier for everyone."

If you are interested in taking part in this exciting project or for further information please contact Lesley Hart, Borough of Poole, 01202 262065 or Gerry Bolland, Bournemouth Borough Council, 01202 454654.

lesley hart - tel. 01202 262065