Posted on: Friday 24 March 2023
Two pupils on bicycles outside Blenheim Road Community Primary School
Three primary schools have agreed to sign up to a national programme aimed at getting school children to regularly walk, cycle or scoot to school.
To mark Sustrans Big Walk and Week Week this week, Cwmffrwdoer Primary School, in Pontypool, and the Federation of Blenheim Road Community and Coed Eva Primary Schools, in Cwmbran, will be registering for the charity's Active Travel Journeys initiative.
The programme provides assemblies and classroom-based activities about active travel, as well as practical support like bike and scooter skills session and training in bike safety checks.
In October, Blenheim Road Community and Coed Eva Primary Schools were the first in Torfaen to launch Active Travel School Plans.
Leticia, who is a member of Blenheim Road Community Primary's eco committee, said: "The best way to come to school is to walk or cycle because it's better for the environment and much more fun!"
Torfaen Council Active Travel team is now working with Cwmffrwdoer Primary, Llantarnam Community Primary, Croesyceiliog Primary, Ysgol Bryn Onnen and Griffithstown Primary to develop their own Active Travel Schools plans.
Councillor Mandy Owen, Executive Member for Environment, said: "It's great to see so many schools want to increase the number of pupils and staff who travel actively to school every day.
"Active travel refers to short journeys that are done by walking, cycling or scooting rather than by car. For those pupils or staff who live too far away to walk, we encourage schools to consider alternatives, such as setting up park and stride areas or walking buses a short distance away.
"Having Active Travel School Plans in place are beneficial to pupils and families, the environment and will hopefully improve safety by reducing the amount of cars outside schools."
If your school would like to find out more about the Active Travel School Plans, email Donna Edwards-John on Donna.Edwards-John@torfaen.gov.uk or call 01495 742861.
To find out more about Active Travel in Torfaen, including Torfaen Council's new Active Travel map, visit our website.