Gateshead school pupils joined on school run by MP Ian Mearns
Ian Mearns MP joined pupils from his Gateshead constituency on the school run this morning (Friday 10 March) to celebrate the steps they are taking to get more active.
Mr Mearns visited Kelvin Grove Primary School, which takes part in WOW - the walk to school challenge delivered by charity Living Streets, working alongside officers from Gateshead Council.
WOW sees pupils record how they get to school using the interactive WOW Travel Tracker with those who walk, wheel, cycle, scoot or 'Park and Stride' to school being awarded a monthly WOW badge.
On average, WOW schools see a 30 per cent reduction in car journeys taken to the school gates and a 23 per cent increase in walking rates.
Nationally, 43 per cent of 5-10-year-olds are driven to school. However, just 15 per cent of journeys recorded on the WOW Travel Tracker by pupils at Kelvin Grove Primary School in February were car trips all the way to the school gates.
Ian Mearns MP for Gateshead said:
"As Chair of Governors at Kelvin Grove Primary School, I always enjoy talking to pupils to hear all about how they like to walk to school.
"We all know how important it is to stay active and walking to school is a great way to keep healthy and it benefits the environment."I'm really pleased to see that the school is continuing to work with Living Streets to create an active travel plan and a safe route to school for children and their families. I'm sure this will inspire others to leave the car at home and walk to school."
Councillor John McElroy, cabinet member for the environment and transport at Gateshead Council, said:
"It's great to hear that through working with our council colleagues and Living Streets, the number of children walking, cycling or scooting to school at Kelvin Grove has gone from an already impressive 67% to an incredible 83%.
"We work with lots of schools and parents now who really understand the value of children being active, and how it's just not sustainable to have so many cars all arriving at school gates in the mornings and afternoons.
"It's safer and healthier for everyone if we see children walking and wheeling to school whenever possible."
Stephen Edwards, Chief Executive, Living Streets said:
"We're really pleased that Ian Mearns MP visited the school today so that he could meet pupils and learn more about their active journeys to school.
"Walking to school is a great way for children to meet the 60 minutes of exercise a day recommended by health experts to stay healthy and families can spend some quality time together while doing so."
There are currently almost 20 schools running the WOW programme in Gateshead.
Ian Mearns MP joined pupils from his Gateshead constituency on the school run this morning (Friday 10 March) to celebrate the steps they are taking to get more active.
Mr Mearns visited Kelvin Grove Primary School, which takes part in WOW - the walk to school challenge delivered by charity Living Streets, working alongside officers from Gateshead Council.
WOW sees pupils record how they get to school using the interactive WOW Travel Tracker with those who walk, wheel, cycle, scoot or 'Park and Stride' to school being awarded a monthly WOW badge.
On average, WOW schools see a 30 per cent reduction in car journeys taken to the school gates and a 23 per cent increase in walking rates.
Nationally, 43 per cent of 5-10-year-olds are driven to school. However, just 15 per cent of journeys recorded on the WOW Travel Tracker by pupils at Kelvin Grove Primary School in February were car trips all the way to the school gates.
Ian Mearns MP for Gateshead said:
"As Chair of Governors at Kelvin Grove Primary School, I always enjoy talking to pupils to hear all about how they like to walk to school.
"We all know how important it is to stay active and walking to school is a great way to keep healthy and it benefits the environment."I'm really pleased to see that the school is continuing to work with Living Streets to create an active travel plan and a safe route to school for children and their families. I'm sure this will inspire others to leave the car at home and walk to school."
Councillor John McElroy, cabinet member for the environment and transport at Gateshead Council, said:
"It's great to hear that through working with our council colleagues and Living Streets, the number of children walking, cycling or scooting to school at Kelvin Grove has gone from an already impressive 67% to an incredible 83%.
"We work with lots of schools and parents now who really understand the value of children being active, and how it's just not sustainable to have so many cars all arriving at school gates in the mornings and afternoons.
"It's safer and healthier for everyone if we see children walking and wheeling to school whenever possible."
Stephen Edwards, Chief Executive, Living Streets said:
"We're really pleased that Ian Mearns MP visited the school today so that he could meet pupils and learn more about their active journeys to school.
"Walking to school is a great way for children to meet the 60 minutes of exercise a day recommended by health experts to stay healthy and families can spend some quality time together while doing so."
There are currently almost 20 schools running the WOW programme in Gateshead.
