Kerbcraft helping achieve Government objectives in West Midlands

The ‘Kerbcraft’ programme is an important element of road safety activity in the West Midlands - and particularly in Sandwell - where the fight is on to achieve Government targets for a reduction in the number of child pedestrian deaths and injuries.

Following the success of various pedestrian skills training programmes across the country over a number of years, the Government introduced new funding in 2001 for co-ordinators to run the ‘Kerbcraft’ programme. Authorities were invited to bid for funding to appoint a co-ordinator to work in areas of social deprivation for a three-year period. 38 co-ordinators – each working with 10 schools - have been appointed in England, with more in Scotland and Wales. The West Midlands was fortunate in having four successful bids - Sandwell, Walsall, Dudley and Solihull.

Kerbcraft is a year-long scheme designed for Y1 pupils. Parent volunteers help with the scheme and are trained by the Kerbcraft co-ordinator. The trained volunteers then teach children how to recognise safe and dangerous places and how to choose a safe place to cross, how to cope with parked cars and to develop the skills required when crossing near junctions.

"It has long been recognised that the best way to learn something is to do it," says Sandwell’s Joanne Farghaly. "Based on this philosophy, pedestrian skills training programmes have been designed to try to instil good behaviour patterns in children and Kerbcraft works on this same principle."

Sandwell's pedestrian skills co-ordinator, Karen Hale, will be working in 10 schools in Oldbury and Tipton.

For further information about this story please contact Joanne Farghaly by email on joanne_farghaly@sandwell.gov.uk