Glasgow unveils School Travel Plan pack

Scottish Olympic athlete Sinead Dudgeon ‘hurdled the barrier’ of travelling safely and energetically to school when she helped launch Glasgow’s first School Travel Plan Resource Pack. The British champion hurdler was joined by Lord Provost Liz Cameron, and some of the school’s pupils.

Battlefield was the first of Glasgow’s 226 primary and secondary schools to establish a school travel team to develop a plan to encourage children, parents and staff to walk or cycle back and forth to school safely and more often.

"Developed by pupils, parents, teachers, health representatives and the local community, (school travel) plans encourage everyone to think about their travel choices and their impact on others," said councillor Willie O’Rourke. "They also inspire youngsters and adults to become healthier and fitter through the simple daily exercise of making their own way to school rather than being driven."

"And the benefits go far beyond exercise," he added. "Our research shows that youngsters enjoy the social independence of chatting to their friends rather than sitting in a car with adults, and that it improves their road awareness skills, increases their confidence, and makes them more appreciative of their surroundings."

"Other data indicates that youngsters travelling to school under their own steam are more mentally alert - while fewer car journeys certainly helps protect the environment."

The £3 million, three-year, Scotland-wide project was prompted by the realisation that - compared with 20 years ago - twice as many children are being driven to school.

"Not so long ago children walked to school but for many the school run has become a way of life," the resource pack states. "Sometimes the journey by car is so short that it’s almost quicker to walk or cycle. The dependence on the car, with its door-to-door convenience, has contributed to sedentary and inactive lifestyles - particularly for young children, many of whom are now much less active and prone to obesity."