They say you can tell when the schools are on holiday because rush-hour roads are clearer – well, the schools aren’t on holiday this week but if you’ve noticed a drop in the level of traffic it’s because it’s National Walk to School Week Monday 17th to Friday 21st May.

This is part of a national campaign organised by the charity Living Streets and supported in Hampshire by Hampshire County Council who say that across the county 360 schools and nearly 80,000 primary school-aged children will be participating.

The aim is to reduce the amount of traffic on the streets and to raise street safety awareness as well as to promote a healthier lifestyle.

At Hedge End’s Kings Copse Primary School they have been encouraging children to take part in the annual campaign for a number of years. Deputy Head Jane Hall said, "We at Kings Copse Primary School are happy to take part and promote the Walk to School Week campaign this week.

“We are encouraging children to walk to school with parents whilst discussing potential hazards along the way such as driveways, junctions, parked cars and bends. This not only serves as a reminder to the children to keep to the Green Cross Code but also promotes a healthy lifestyle."

At Shamblehurst Primary School children are awarded stickers and certificates for taking part. Admin Assistant Julie Phillips commented, “You should see the traffic outside the school gate at the end of the day – it’s horrendous. We’re trying to encourage the parents as well as the children to walk – it’s something we’d like to happen all year.”

Freegrounds Junior School is also participating, and Wellstead Primary has been taking part in the Walking Bug initiative (promoted by Eastleigh Borough Council) since the Easter holidays. Wellstead pupils have ‘passports’ and receive stamps for making their journey on foot or by bike as the scheme has encouraged a number of children to get on their bikes as well as to walk. Some parents have also reduced mileage by deciding to park further out from the school and walk the last bit.

Head, Richard Wharton, says, “The Walking Bug initiative is proving a great incentive here at Wellstead.”

For older, secondary school pupils, a similar campaign is being run called Step Up.

Schools who wanted to were able to take advantage of Hampshire County Council’s ‘Streets Ahead’ training to be in readiness for the week.

Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Councillor Mel Kendal, explained, “National Walk to School Week is a great opportunity for those who would normally be driven to school to get a taste for walking instead. Our Streets Ahead scheme actively equips children with the knowledge to be able to get around on foot safely together with the understanding about why they need to take particular care when they are out walking and crossing the road.

“In 2008, 40% of all pedestrian casualties in Hampshire were between the ages of five and 19. We would like more schools to make it possible for children to undertake this practical training and help to reduce the number of accidents involving children thereby avoiding injury or death.”

Are you taking part in National Walk to School Week? If so, post your experience!

According to the Walk to School Campaign, approximately only half of the nation’s school-children walk to school on a regular basis, with the number falling each year. This is a trend the campaign is hoping to reverse, with the aim to help tackle the increased levels of childhood obesity, traffic congestion and air pollution.

Do you think this sort of campaign is effective, or will the cars on the school-run be out again in force next week?

Let Hedgeendpeople know your views!

The Walk to School Campaign is funded by the Department for Transport.

Photo from Flickr by RJS pho·tog·ra·phy.