A review of safe walking routes to and from school will take place in a bid to improve the health of young people and make effective use of the Council’s resources.
Cambridgeshire County Council’s Children and Young People’s Committee agreed today (November 28) to undertake the review and bring the results to the committee’s meeting in March next year.
Addressing childhood obesity is seen as one of the most pressing Public Health issues. In Cambridgeshire around 19% of Reception children have an unhealthy weight, and this increases to around 32% in Year 6. Active travel encourages children and their families to be more active, leading not only to a healthy weight but also contributing to their general overall fitness.
In line with the Council’s agenda to promote active travel the Council has identified 10 routes that are currently assessed as unsafe for walking, but which could potentially be made safe with further investment and assessment. This could include landscaping, zebra crossings and increased lighting.
Reducing the number of unsafe routes would also contribute to other targets, such as reducing the number of vehicles on the road and promoting independent travel for children and young people, as well as a general improvement to the pedestrian network in Cambridgeshire. A further review of all routes currently deemed unsafe may identify further opportunities for effective investment.
Meanwhile, the volunteer driver scheme has been very successful, both for members of the public and council staff. This offers volunteers who have the appropriate DBS checks and insurance in place the opportunity to undertake school trips and be paid mileage. Further details of the scheme can be found on our website.
Cllr Bryony Goodliffe, Chair of the Children and Young People’s Committee said: “As a council we have a duty to spend public money wisely, and to promote active travel and the health and fitness of our young people. This review of walking routes to school will be comprehensive and thorough and give us the information we need to take the next steps when the committee meets next March.”
