Published at 11:30, Wednesday, 19 May 2010

THOUSANDS of youngsters in the county are expected to use leg power rather than jumping in the car as they take part in Cumbria’s Walk to School Week, running until Friday.

Pupils in Cumbria will join about two million other children across the UK taking part in the annual initiative, which aims to encourage youngsters to get fit and active as well as slashing carbon emissions.

And with the growing problem of childhood obesity high on the agenda it is hoped Walk to School Week can also help play a part in the battle against the bulge.

Although many parents already walk with their children to school throughout the year, the annual Walk to School Week is a good way of getting parents and children to consider the way they travel every day and breaking the habit of driving, and show that travelling on foot can be safe.

Last year 8,000 youngsters from more than 70 schools took part in Walk to School Week, run by Better Ways to School, a Cumbria County Council initiative aimed at reducing unnecessary car journeys on the school run.

The aim is to make this year’s event even bigger and have 9,000 youngsters walking to school.

Better Ways to School started in 2000 as part of a national project and over the past 10 years the number of children from schools that have taken part in the initiative now walking to school in Cumbria has increased 15 per cent.

Now however, the Better Ways to School initiative has ended and has been replaced by Active Travel to School – another county council scheme for schools across Cumbria to encourage walking, cycling and road safety training and education.

“Walking to school instead of jumping in the car is an excellent way to get active, fit and healthy as well as cutting down on carbon emissions,” says Councillor Tim Knowles, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for road safety.

“I’d encourage as many children and their parents as possible to take part in Walk to School Week and I’m sure they’ll enjoy being out in the fresh air and walking with their friends rather than being stuck in a car.

“Hopefully by walking during Walk to School they will really recognise the benefits and walk when they can throughout the year.”

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk