Islington’s youngsters are climbing out of their parent’s cars and hitting the streets as part of Walk to School Week (23-27 May).<br><br>Children from Poole's Park Primary School will show how youngsters can embrace sustainable living by reducing the number of car journeys they make. By taking part in the special week, they will get a healthy kickstart to their day as well as earning a free school breakfast. <br><br>It's hoped this pilot scheme - believed to be unique in London - will encourage more school children across the borough to walk to school safely and more frequently, making the most of the health and environmental benefits. <br><br>Islington Council is supporting the wide programme of events, aimed at promoting road safety for the borough’s youngest residents.<br><br>On Monday (9 May), two Islington schools took part in the first ever School Travel Plan Conference where they launched their own travel plans. Poole's Park Primary and Canonbury Primary discussed with local schools and organisations how they could benefit from incorporating practical measures to encourage parents and children to travel to and from school in healthier, safer and more environmentally-sustainable ways. <br><br>Children taking part in the Walk to School Week will also be entered into a competition with other schools to see which has the greenest travel plan.<br><br>Cllr Bridget Fox, executive member for sustainability, said:<br><br>"Making Islington safer for residents of all ages is a priority for the council. This includes travelling to and from school safely and healthily, whether by public transport, car-sharing or on foot. <br><br>“With TfL, we are helping more schools adopt travel plans to make the journeys better for pupils, their families and our environment - as well as easing dangerous traffic congestion near schools. By working together we aim that by 2008 all Islington primary schools should have a travel plan."<br><br>ENDS
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009