Archived press release

Mr Blunkett's pleas answered! Now kids can walk to school safely

8 May 2000

Children can walk to school safely, Friends of the Earth reveals today. That's good for the environment - with fewer cars' clogging up the roads, good for childrens' health and good for their parents' peace of mind.

Last month, Education Secretary David Blunkett pleaded for an end to the “vicious cycle in which unsafe roads lead parents to prefer driving their children to school”, and pointed out that up to 24,000 people a year now die prematurely because of air pollution caused by traffic. Meanwhile obesity and lack of fitness is a growing health problem among Britain's children.

But Friends of the Earth has published a new guide called “Walking Bus: A Safe Way for Children to Walk to School”. In walking bus schemes, children join a “human bus” at designated stops along a fixed route. They are accompanied to school by at least two responsible adults. One acting as “driver” and one as “conductor”.

Walking buses:

• are a safe way to get to school
• are healthy
• are time-saving for parents
• cut dangerous traffic congestion around school gates
• protect the environment.

Walking buses make everyone a winner!

The first walking bus scheme in the UK was set up in St Albans by Hertfordshire County Council (the Council also runs 14 other schemes, with 5 more due to be launched ) .Friends of Earth's Maidenhead group has also set up a walking bus, and the guide is written by the group's co-ordinator Tanya Jowett. FOE's guide tells readers all they need to know to set up their own scheme.

Nicholas, age 10, from the Maidenhead scheme commented:

“I used the walking bus for nine months. I liked walking to school with all my friends and because I walked with lots of people it didn't seem to take long to get to school at all. I was taught how to cross roads safely, and now I walk to school with two friends who used to be part of the walking bus. I give the walking bus 10 out of 10 because it helped me walk to school on my own.”

Tanya Jowett from Maidenhead FOE commented:

“Parents are rightly worried about the safety of their kids on our crowded roads. But putting even more children into cars is not the answer. It's bad for the environment,bad for their health, and can threaten the safety of others.

Walking Bus schemes could be the answer to Mr Blunkett's prayers. Our Maidenhead scheme has been a great success. And we'd like to see other Councils follow the lead of Hertfordshire and help local schools and parents to set up their own schemes. The Department of Education could give walking buses a boost as well.

Nicholas and his friends are happier, healthier and safer because of the walking bus.Millions of other children could benefit too.”

FOE's booklet “Walking Bus: A Safe Way for Children to Walk to School” costs £3.50,from Publication Despatch, FOE, 56-58 Alma Street, Luton LU1 2PH, or ring 020 7490 1555

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust