Walking to School

Living Streets’ Walking to School Campaign

Living Streets is running the Walk to School Outreach project supported by funding from the Department for Transport (DfT) for 2019/20. This successful programme aims to support delivery of the Government’s Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy target; to increase the percentage of children aged 5 to 10 years old who usually walk to school to 55% by 2025. Living Streets is working with five project partners, including Transport for Greater Manchester, to deliver a range of interventions to encourage and enable more children to walk to school.

Over 100 primary schools across Greater Manchester will have the opportunity to participate in WOW, Living Streets’ year-round walk to school challenge, at no cost to the school. Pupils record how they get to school on the WOW Travel Tracker and those who walk (or cycle and scoot) at least once per week are rewarded with a themed, monthly badge. On average, WOW schools have seen a 23% increase in walking rates and a 30% reduction in car journeys taken to the school gate. A select number of schools experiencing barriers to walking will also be offered tailored support, including School Route Audits, pupils campaigns and the introduction of ‘Park and Stride’ to help to create cleaner, greener routes to school.

If your school is interested in taking part this year, please contact charlotte.mchugh@livingstreets.org.uk to register your interest or find out more about the programme.