Islington’s green achievements gained more recognition last week with the council’s School Travel Plan programme the latest to scoop a prize, awarded runner-up in the Laurie Bunn Road Safety Award. This follows the council’s recent success in winning Transport for London’s 'Sustainable Transport Borough of the Year'.<br><br>The rapidly-expanding School Travel Plan programme was recognised for its excellent work in both primary and secondary schools across the borough, helping to make a difference to the local environment through walking or cycling to school.<br><br>The Laurie Bunn Road Safety Award, supported by the London Accident Prevention Council (LAPC), is given to people working in road safety education, training and publicity fields who are recognised for their contribution to reducing casualty statistics in London. It honours the late Laurie Bunn, a former chairman of the LAPC.<br><br>Councillor Bridget Fox, Executive member for sustainability, said: “The council and the community have really pulled together to tackle environmental issues and it’s great to see our initiatives acknowledged. School Travel Plans are a fun, social and healthy way for our kids to become more proactively involved in road safety and more aware of environmental issues.<br><br>The council is already working with 26 primary and secondary schools across the borough to implement travel plans, and is well on course to meet its target for all Islington primary schools to have a School Travel Plan by 2008.”<br><br>Current trends in road traffic casualties in Islington are improving, helped by the council’s traffic calming and road safety education schemes over the past few years. Between 2003 and 2004, there was a 38 per cent reduction in the total number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.<br><br>All year 5 and 6 pupils who live or go to school in Islington are encouraged to attend free, safe cycling courses, aimed at providing the skills and experience necessary to cycle safely on the road. For more information phone Contact Islington on 020 7527 2000.<br><br>~ENDS
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009