Larne schools urged to sign up to Active Travel programme

Sustrans Active School Travel in Northern Ireland has dramatically increased the proportion of children walking, cycling and scooting to school while reducing the numbers being driven, new figures have revealed.

Sustainable transport charity, Sustrans has worked with 191 schools over the past three years to enable more pupils to travel actively to school, reducing car travel and consequently congestion and air pollution around the school gates.

The proportion of children walking, cycling and scooting to school increased by 38 per cent over the course of three years in the participating schools, while the proportion being driven fell by 22 percent.

Sustrans delivered the programme from September 2013 to July 2016 with funding from the Public Health Agency and the Department for Infrastructure. It has begun a new five year programme and is currently recruiting schools to participate from the new academic year in September.

Beth Harding, Sustrans Active School Travel Manager has urged schools to sign up for the programme and enjoy the benefits active travel has brought to pupils who have taken part to date.

The initiative provides the school with a planned programme of activities throughout the year, both in and out of the classroom, and direct hands-on delivery from a dedicated Sustrans Active Travel Officer. Pupils are also offered on-road cycle training to enable them to cycle safely to school.

To apply download the application pack from the website www.sustrans.org.uk/northern-ireland and return by Friday, April 7.