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" School run congestion is a major headache ! " say teachers in a DTLR survey (28 September 2001 )
107 teachers from a cross section of English and Welsh primary schools were interviewed by telephone between 10 - 14 September 2001.
Walking to school can make children brighter and more alert, reveals new survey. Nearly three quarters of primary school teachers consider the morning 'drop off' by parents at the school gates a major cause for concern, according to a new DTLR survey. All the teachers questioned felt that walking to school instead of being driven helps children stay fit and healthy. The survey - released today on the first day of Walk to School Week - reveals that nine in ten teachers consider that the walk to school actually makes children brighter, more alert and ready for the first class of the day. One hundred primary school teachers across England and Wales were quizzed for the survey as part of the Government's ongoing campaign to promote the benefits of walking to school safely amongst parents, children, teachers and local organisations. More than eight in ten teachers surveyed were strongly in favour of Walk to School Week with 79 % of them currently encouraging their own children to walk to school. These teachers believe that the advantages enjoyed by children who walk to school are not only related to health but also to education and general awareness: 87 % of teachers questioned believe that walking to school gives children a chance to wake up fully before they reach the classroom 60 % believe that walking to school enables children to settle down once in the classroom	90 % believe that walking to school enables children to become more aware of their local environment 93 % believe that walking to school makes children more aware of road safety issues Transport Minister David Jamieson said: "The reliance on the car to take children to school should concern us all. We know it leads to increased congestion and pollution outside the school gates and to a decline in our children's health and fitness. The survey results show that teachers are strongly in favour of encouraging children to walk to school and happily the majority ensure their own children walk to school! We certainly hope that by walking to school, our children arrive brighter and more alert. Combined with so many other measurable benefits of walking, we hope this serves as further encouragement for children and their parents to consider leaving the car at home for the journey into school." Schools Minister Catherine Ashton added: "This survey confirms our belief that there are many benefits for children in walking to school and I am pleased that so many teachers are positively encouraging their own children to walk to school. I would urge other parents and pupils to follow their example and make Walk to School Week that important first step towards reducing the number of car journeys they make, as well as giving children the added health and educational benefits."
Notes to Editors: Walk to School Week runs from 1-5 October 2001. The booklet 'A Safer Journey to School', a guide to school travel plans for parents, teachers and governors, contains advice on how to encourage more sustainable ways of getting to and from school. It is available free of charge by phoning DfES publications on 0845 602 2260 quoting reference SRTS99. Press Enquiries: 020 7944 3066; out of hours: 020 7944 5925 Public Enquiries Unit: 020 7944 3000; Email: press@dtlr.gov.uk Press Notices available via DTLR website: http://www.dtlr.gov.uk

This Page was last update: Thursday, May 2, 2002 at 9:47:45 AM
This page was originally posted: 4/30/2002; 4:03:05 PM.
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