As the new school year gets under way, families in Stone are being encouraged to consider walking, cycling or scootering for the school run where they can.
Staffordshire County Council’s School Travel team says travelling actively to school can help children build exercise into their daily routine, while reducing the number of cars around school gates at busy drop off and collection times.
Parents and carers who need to drive are also being asked to park safely and consider leaving the car a short distance from school before walking the final part of the journey.
The council calls this approach Park & Stride and advises drivers to keep school zigzags and double yellow lines clear, avoid blocking driveways and access routes, and leave enough room for emergency vehicles.
With roads around Stone’s schools becoming much busier again at the start and end of the school day, drivers are also being urged to take extra care around children walking, cycling and scootering.
Janet Higgins, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and SEND, said
“Walking, scootering or cycling to school is one of the easiest changes families can make that deliver real benefits for communities.
“It helps children stay active, reduces traffic and can save families money.”
She added
“Drivers can also play their part in helping keep children safe on the way to and from school. Traffic can be heavier during drop-off and pick up times during mornings and afternoons and we would always urge drivers to be extra careful and be considerate.
“People should also drive and park responsibly particularly when near our schools.”
Staffordshire County Council also supports Walking Buses, where groups of children and adults meet at an agreed point before following a designated route to school together.
The council says around 24 Walking Bus routes are either operating or planned across Staffordshire. Routes are risk assessed and Walking Bus leaders are required to have DBS checks.
More than 50 Staffordshire schools also have school travel plans aimed at encouraging alternatives to individual car journeys and identifying safer ways for pupils to travel.
Families can find more information about walking, cycling, scootering, Walking Buses and other school travel options through Staffordshire County Council’s School Travel team.
