Time for another update from our community safety team with news of their road safety engagement and education in BwD primary schools.
Community safety officer, Andrew Duxbury, gives us the latest:
“June has been a busy month visiting three schools so far. With the assistance of the Neighbourhood Policing Team we shared important road safety training with local children, helping them to stay safe on our streets and roads.
St James, Earl Street, Blackburn
We engaged with 217 children over two days across four year groups. Parents were offered high-vis vests for a safer school run when walking and cycling, and it was encouraging to hear that 72 per cent of children are walking to school.
Lammack Primary
We did training with 287 children over two days from four year groups. High-vis vests are due for delivery and 48 per cent of children are walking to school. It’s important to engage with parents to find out how we can increase this number, it reduces congestion and improves the air around the school gates for little lungs.
The Olive School, Meins Rd, Blackburn
We engaged with 360 children over two days from four year groups. 30 high-vis vests given out so far for safer school travel on foot or by bike. A large number of children already had high-vis vests that they use for travelling to mosque. 26 per cent of children are walking to school. If families cannot get to school without their car, it would be worth parking a block or two away from the school gates to improve air quality and safety for all the children.
“So far this year, our schools engagement and education has reached 3,193 children from 18 schools and we have handed out 545 high-vis vests.”
If your school would like a visit from our team please email Andrew. Road safety education is an essential life skill for young people. As BwD works towards its climate emergency goals to become carbon neutral by 2030, active travel and car free travel are an important part in creating healthy streets for our communities.
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