Telford primary school pupils celebrate safer route to school

The path that was specially laid by Telford & Wrekin Council has improved the route for pupils and their families to use.

The school is now setting up a walking bus with the aim of getting pupils, parents, teachers and the community to leave the car at home and travel to school under their own steam.

The new route runs from the Shrewsbury Road across the brand new zebra crossing, leading pupils straight to the school gates, delivering them safely to start the school day.

Not only does the new safer route promote a more active lifestyle through activities such as the walking bus, it will also help to reduce the level of inappropriate parking and help to relieve congestion.

Lin Jackson, High Ercall Primary School head teacher, said: “The safer route has been welcomed by both the school and the local community.

“It is exactly what we need to help launch our school’s walking bus and we are on the look out for more parents to support the initiative”.

Safer routes to school and walking buses are all initiatives that Telford & Wrekin Council is championing and supporting schools to set up. So far there are 10 walking buses working across the borough, all of which help to reduce pollution and traffic levels.

Councilor Hilda Rhodes, cabinet member for environment, transport and community protection, said: “This initiative encourages more of our pupils and their families to help reduce the level of inappropriate parking that we see near to schools and relieve congestion.

“The benefit of the new route for High Ercall pupils is that it has made walking to school easier and more convenient. This also gives children who would usually go to school by car some exercise in the morning.

“Although the safer route to school and walking bus initiatives are safe, there are still dangers on any road. Therefore we still remind drivers to be slow down while passing through areas near schools.”