Residents in Islington will have been forgiven for looking twice when a six foot chicken called Charlie led a group of more than 150 children and parents through Highbury and Canonbury today (25 May 2005).<br><br>The event was part of a host of activities organised by Islington's Road Safety Team for 'Walk To School Week' (23-27 May 2005). Launched in the borough's primary schools this week, the scheme is part of a national campaign to get more children to reap the health, environmental and safety benefits of walking to school. <br><br>Monday 23 May: School children who followed the fowl to Poole's Park Primary enjoyed a goodie pack and a healthy breakfast with new Deputy Mayor Cllr Anna Berent.<br><br>Wednesday 25 May (am): The Big Walk (25 May) saw children from Canonbury Primary walking to school with Mayor Cllr Jonathan Dearth - and Charlie the Chicken - in a 'walking bus'.<br><br>Wednesday 25 May (pm): Year 4 and 5 children at Poole's Park Primary will be explaining just how dangerous the illegal practice of parking directly outside the school gates really is. Parents collecting their children by car will be greeted by traffic police and NCP parking attendants handing out mock 'parking tickets', which the children have designed and made themselves. <br><br>Tuesday 24 May, Thursday 26 May and Friday 27 May: Events to highlight 'School Keep Clear' activities. The police are visiting Rotherfield Primary, St Joan of Arc Primary and St Mark's Primary to raise awareness of keeping children safe around the school gates and specifically, on school keep clear markings. <br><br>Caroline Russell, parent and Chair of Governors at Canonbury Primary school said:<br><br>"Parents and children at Canonbury School are making huge efforts to minimise car use and walk to school. The aim of the Big Walk on Wednesday is to encourage drivers to be more considerate to pedestrians. We hope drivers will keep pedestrian crossings clear when they are queueing to get on to Highbury Corner and that they'll drive slowly and safely at times when children are walking to school."<br><br>Commenting on the week's activities, Cllr Bridget Fox 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>We want parents to respect our vulnerable young people and take responsibility for their parking around school gates.<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