Walk to School Week a huge success

Schools throughout South Lanarkshire have been taking part in a number of events to mark "Walk to School Week".

This year's theme is "Sound Detectives" - asking children and parents to enjoy all the sounds they won't normally hear if they were travelling to school in a car. 

This is to encourage children and their parents to walk to school (or park further away and walk some of the way - known as Park and Stride) to gain benefits to their health, practical road safety awareness for children and to make a positive action in reducing pollution. 

Walking to School is of benefit for many reasons:

• Free

• Healthy exercise (parents and children!)

• Time for social interaction

• Practical road safety awareness for children

• Reduce congestion around our schools  

• Positive action in reducing pollution

Councillor John Murray, Chair of the Road Safety Forum at South Lanarkshire Council said: "Walk to School Week is a great opportunity to reflect on the way in which we travel, and take the opportunity to choose a safe and healthy mode of transport.  

"We hope that the children enjoy the excellent events taking place across South Lanarkshire and their enthusiasm encourages everyone to reflect on their chosen mode of transport."

Participation in Walk to School Week is one of the initiatives that can be included in a School Travel Plan.  

A School Travel Plan is an active document that involves the opinions of the school, parents and pupils and promotes sustainable travel modes, for example walking and cycling.

Encouraging sustainable travel is included in South Lanarkshire Council's Sustainable Development Strategy.