Schools celebrate 'walk week'

More than 220 schools will take part in the campaign. It is designed to encourage pupils' parents to leave the car at home, and use sustainable transport, such as walking, cycling, trains and buses for the twice-daily school run.

West Sussex County Council's TravelWise team is providing schools with resources, activities and competitions to support their efforts.

This year, primary schoolchildren are getting creative and designing stickers illustrating the different modes of sustainable travel for a competition. The pupils who come up with the winning design will receive a T-shirt with their design printed on it and their ideas will be used to shape future campaigns.

Also during the week:

'¢ Arundel Primary School is operating a 'Car Free Car Park' day on Monday May 17.

'¢ Barnham Primary School is holding a competition to see which class (including teachers and support staff) can record the most number of sustainable journeys over the week. It also plans to plant a tree in the school grounds to celebrate Walk to School Week.

'¢ Eastergate Primary School is holding a 'Travel to School Creatively' week, where children dress up or use unusual means of transport.

Derek Whittington, County Council Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, said: "Figures show 73 per cent of journeys to and from school are now being made by more eco-friendly travel choices, but we want to increase this further.

"There are many ways to travel such as walking, cycling, public transport, 'Park 'n' Stride', or even car sharing. All help to reduce congestion.

"The week is not just about the environment, it is also children learning vital road safety skills, and to get to know their natural world and develop independence."

For more information contact Greg Merrett, TravelWise Officer, on 01243 756819.