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18 May 00WALK TO SCHOOL 2000
Monday 22nd May is the start of National Walk to School Week. Like the rest of the country, thousands of Poole school children will be stepping out in support of the Pedestrians Association/National TravelWise campaign.
The aim of this event is to encourage more parents to walk with their children as they travel to and from school.
Road Safety Education Officer, Lesley Hart, said: ‘I think that many parents have forgotten that walking to school with friends was one of the best parts of the day. The time spent walking to school with your children is quality time when you can help them build their pedestrian skills and improve their road sense. The children arrive at school refreshed and ready to face the day.’
This year for the first time the officers at the Borough, with the support of the schools and Dorset Police officers, have decided to try a new approach - restricting access to school entrances in order to highlight some of the problems that can be caused by inconsiderate parents parking.
Walking and Cycling Officer, Sally Funnell explained "Some schools in Poole experience considerable congestion problems outside their entrances at school start and finish times. This causes aggravation not only for parents hunting for somewhere to park but also for local residents, some of whom have reported parents parking in their drives whilst they go to collect their children. This charged atmosphere is not a safe and peaceful environment for children to experience outside their schools and by restricting vehicle access to school entrances we hope to illustrate to parents and children that it is possible to improve this unsatisfactory situation."
To end the week, several parents from Canford Heath First School have joined together to take part in a new Walking Bus scheme for the school. The Walking Bus is where small groups of children walk to school accompanied by two or more adults. The aims of the scheme are to ease congestion, reduce the levels of pollution, to encourage more walking to school and to provide a realistic alternative to the car. The Canford Heath "bus" will make its first journey on the morning of Friday 26 May and will continue to run every morning from Monday 5 June.
Parents and children are being asked to walk to school where this is possible, but if they live some distance away to park away from the school entrance and walk the last bit. By the end of the week it is hoped that everyone will feel the health benefits of a little extra exercise and a lack of stress associated with parking problems outside schools.
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NOTE TO EDITORS:
· This is the 6th year that schools have been involved in a national walk to school event.
· The official local launch of National Walk to School Week is to be held at Sylvan First School, Livingstone Road, Parkstone. A member of AFC Bournemouth will be joining the Walking Bus for a photocall outside the school at 0845.
· There will be temporary voluntary road closures in Barons Road for Bearwood Primary School, Learoyd Road (Nettleton Close) for Canford Heath First and Middle Schools, Devon Road for St Mary’s RC Combined School for one hour around school start and finish times. Photo opportunities can be arranged at these sites - please telephone Sally Funnell 0n 01202 262066 for Canford Heath First and Middle, or Kathy Saunders on 01202 262051 for St Mary’s School.
· Further information about the national event from Peter Caunter, Pedestrian’s Association on 0207 820 1010, email info@pedestrians.org.uk
· For more information about the events in Poole, please contact Lesley Hart, Road Safety Education Officer, on 01202 262065 email l.hart@poole.gov.uk
Lesley Hart, Road Safety Education Officer, Borough of Poole, tel. 01202 262065
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