All aboard the walking bus!

PARENTS and children at a Warrington primary school have kick started a safer way to get to school.
Youngsters at Oughtrington Primary School, Lymm, have started a “walking bus” to provide a safer walk to and from school.
Launched as part of walk to school month, the walking bus was set up by a group of parent volunteers with guidance from the borough council’s school travel scheme.
The walking bus will initially operate one morning a week and will follow a set risk assessed route and timetable collecting children from “bus stops” on its way to school.
The bus, originally spearheaded by parent Kate Davies, is run by three parent volunteers and includes up to 12 children.
Walking buses are one of a number of school travel plan measures set up to help reduce congestion at schools, make the trip to school healthier and help the environment.
It is hoped that as the walking bus becomes more popular, it will encourage more children and parents to leave the car at home and walk to school.
Headteacher Gillian Marsland said: “By working together we have been able to launch the walking bus and the whole school is talking about it. We believe it will make a difference in terms of offering a safe alternative to using the car to get to school and hope that more people get on board with us.”
Coun Sheila Woodyatt, the borough council’s executive member for children’s services, said: “We are only too happy to support initiatives that stem from ideas put forward by parents and children where possible.
“Walking buses are a great idea not only in terms of providing a safe way to get to school but in teaching children how to get to school safely with friends, helping reduce the amount of traffic and potential dangers around schools at busy times and giving parents an opportunity to get involved in school life.”