Watch out our kids are going green!

Tuesday 06 October 2015

Drivers are being urged to be extra careful behind the wheel as there’s likely to be more children on the roads over the next couple of weeks.

Green Travel Fortnight started yesterday and youngsters are being encouraged to get out of the car and think of other ‘greener’ ways of getting to and from school.

Eco active programme manager Jane Burns said: “The Fortnight is an annual event that helps the environment department to meet our energy plan targets. As well as reducing emissions and congestion active travel also keeps people healthy. We very much hope that all schools, their pupils and families will take part. We aim to encourage those who can to try walking or cycling to school. For those who live too far away they could take the bus or car-share.”

The primary school class making the biggest steps to help ease congestion will get to step back in time – winning a trip to see the dinosaurs at Tamba Park. The pupil who comes up with the best sustainable superhero name will win a Pony Mania inline cycling prize.

Older children can clock up points for their green travel on a special travel postcard – one for car sharing, two for catching the bus and three for walking or cycling to school. The names of the secondary school pupils who clock up 30 points over the 10 days will be entered into a draw to win a cycle helmet and other prizes sponsored by Creepy Valley Adventure Centre and Schuh Shoe Shop.

Organisers hope that at least 26 schools will be participating this year, five more than last year and they are being asked to track their progress on a travel survey so that the results can be used to update the school’s travel plan and annual review.

Transport Minister Deputy Eddie Noel said: “Green Travel Fortnight is a great way to raise awareness about walking, cycling, taking the bus or sharing a car to get to school. I’d like to ask the travelling public to pay extra attention as there are likely to be more children walking to school and riding their bikes during this Fortnight.”