Dingwall Primary School pupils queue up for ‘walking bus’ trailblazer
PUPILS, parents and teachers at one of Ross-shire’s largest primary schools have been taking steps - quite literally - to promote healthy exercise and reduce traffic congestion.
The idea of a “walking bus” has seen a growing number of children encouraged to walk to school at Dingwall Primary.
In common with many other schools across the Highlands, the primary has at times faced issues with traffic congestion at peak drop-off and pick-up times.
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A general move towards active travel, encouraging children to walk or cycle to school where it is deemed safe to do so, has been slowly gaining momentum across the region.
Dingwall Primary head Sara Macaskill explained how the school is taking strides to help those who wish to walk there.
She said: “We have 21 children who have signed up to walk to school with myself on a Friday morning at 8.30am. We pick up children from their houses on the way.
“The route starts at the top of Old Evanton Road with parent volunteers also joining us.
“We have had many parents contact us who would also like to start a Walking Bus for children on other routes to the school. We will be holding a meeting for interested parents after the February weekend.
“We are delighted the initative has had such a positive response from the school community and has also encouraged myself to walk to school more!
“We have P1 to P7s on the ‘Walking Bus’ and for myself it is great to get an extra chance to chat to the children in the day - although they are not too happy with my suggestion for a sing along on the route!”
She added: “We are delighted this is reducing some cars on the school route also.”
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