Good News! More Children Walking to school

12.00.00am GMT Fri 27th Feb 2004

Jo Swinson has welcomed recent statistics that show nearly 6 out of 10 Scottish pupils walked to school in 2002 with less than 1 in 5 pupils travelling by car or van.

Transport Minister Nicol Stephen MSP said:

"The number of children walking to school is the highest since we started collecting this information in 1999. Walking has clear benefits for our children's health as well as helping tackle congestion on the school run."

East Dunbartonshire Council is playing its part in encouraging more pupils to walk to school. The Council is using a grant of £99,000 from the Scottish Executive to address traffic problems at Westerton Primary, including introducing the first mandatory 20mph speed limit in the area.

Westerton Councillor Vaughan Moody said:

"This great news for pupils and staff at Westerton Primary and also important for residents in the area. The traffic problems are longstanding and the entire community will benefit from the 20mph speed limit in this part of Maxwell Avenue."