Healthier way to start school day (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Healthier way to start school day

GRANTS totalling £170,000 have been awarded to 29 schools across Wiltshire to help encourage green, safe and healthy travel to schools.

The money will be used to help persuade children and parents to leave the car at home and either walk or cycle to school.

Each will be given amounts ranging from £4,000 to £12,000 to pay for improvements on the school sites which include St Paul's School, Frogwell School and St Peter's School in Chippenham, John Bentley School in Calne, Stanton St Quintin Primary School and Box Primary School.

Schools awarded grants last year spent them on a range of initiatives including cycle racks, security measures such as CCTV and fencing, pedestrian shelters, new pedestrian entrances, pathways on school grounds and on-site traffic calming.

To qualify for funding the schools had to develop a School Travel Plan. The plan sets out initiatives to encourage walking, cycling, and the use of public transport.

Leaving the car at home is greener because it cuts down on emissions, safer because it cuts traffic congestion at the school gates, and healthier because both pupils and parents get more exercise.

The county council's Travelwise team helps schools to develop and implement their travel plans.

Primary schools have been awarded £3,750 plus £5 per pupil on the school roll and secondary schools £5,000 plus £5 per pupil on the roll.

A new campaign is also encouraging children in Wiltshire to put their best foot forward and walk to school.

Every Wednesday, from September 14 to December 7, Travelwise will be promoting Walk on Wednesdays (WoW) across Wiltshire.

Organisers hope to beat last year's figure of 17,000 participants in the Walk to School Week.

All children taking part get a new wristband, carrying the logo B Cool W2S, and have the chance to win prizes. Information can be found on the Wiltshire County Council website www.wiltshire.gov.uk/travel_plans