Around 20 schools across Leicestershire are putting their artistic talents on show by designing banners encouraging and promoting walking, cycling and staying safe on the ‘school run’.
Pupils from a range of year groups have been producing the banners which are now taking pride of place at the school gates.
Blake Pain, county council cabinet member for environment and transport, visited South Kilworth C of E Primary School to present their designed banner and to hear more about the school’s hard work to encourage both pupils and parents to take up active travel options.
“Travelling actively to school has many benefits such as reducing congestion, and improving road safety as well as helping students' concentration and reaching the recommended daily amount of exercise. Congratulations to all the pupils in Leicestershire who have taken the time to design a banner. We hope that these eye-catching designs will lead to more parents thinking about leaving the car at home
Person:Blake Pain, cabinet member for environment and transportSupported by the county council, schools have started 'walking bus' routes and cycling proficiency classes as well as introducing no waiting zones, and 'park and stride' sites.
Alongside the banners, the county council's safe and sustainable travel team has been working with schools to implement initiatives such as walking, cycling, car sharing, and taking the bus.
South Kilworth head Ralph Wood said: “We hope this banner competition and the assembly held is the start of many great active travel initiatives at the school towards a real positive change. "
Schools who are interested in working with the Safe and Sustainable Travel team can get in contact with them via their website: www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk/schools/leicestershire-schools-programme