Ken Skates MS and pupils step up for active travel

Ysgol Bryn Collen in Llangollen takes part in WOW – the walk to school challenge from Living Streets, which sees pupils record how they get to school using the interactive WOW Travel Tracker with those who walk, wheel, cycle, scoot or ‘Park and Stride’ to school being awarded a monthly WOW badge. 

Only around 50 per cent of primary school children in Wales walk to school1 and Living Streets is working to help more families choose cleaner and healthier ways to travel. WOW schools typically see an increase of 43 per cent in active journeys (where pupils, walk, wheel, cycle, scoot or ‘Park and Stride’, where parents or carers drive children part of the way to school and continue the rest of the journey on foot) and a 59 per cent reduction in cars driving to the school gates.  

In Wales, thousands of children are enjoying the benefits of walking, wheeling and cycling to school thanks to support from the Welsh Government. As part of a two-year project, Living Streets Cymru is working with 170 primary schools and 42 secondary schools to deliver its walk to school programme in Wales. The project highlights the positive impact active travel investment has on local communities. 

Since beginning WOW in September, active journeys at Ysgol Bryn Collen have increased by over 30 percent. 

Ken Skates, Senedd Member for Clwyd South, said:  

“Walking and wheeling to school is one of the simplest ways for families to get the 60 minutes of exercise recommend by health experts. Programmes like WOW make such a positive difference to pupils’ wellbeing and the benefits travel far – from increased confidence to finding it easier to concentrate in the classroom. 

“Well done to pupils and teachers at Ysgol Bryn Collen for making such an impressive effort to travel to school in healthier, more sustainable ways.” 

Hannah Atkins, School Coordinator for Living Streets Cymru, said:  

“It was a real pleasure to welcome Ken Skates MS to Ysgol Bryn Collen and for pupils to tell him how much they enjoy taking part in WOW.” 

“Walking or wheeling all or some of the way to school is a great way for children to feel happier and healthier and gives them the chance to spend quality time with family and friends. It also reduces congestion around the school gates and air pollution.”