Mason Moore | Hinckley Reporter | 4 October 2022

A NEW programme to get children walking to school safely has been successfully launched at a Hinckley primary school.

Battling Brook Primary School, located on Frederick Avenue, have introduced a ‘park and stride’ scheme at the request of local ward councillors in the Hinckley area.

It adds to a number of similar schemes which have been launched in partnership with Leicestershire City Council (LCC) in schools across the county, including another scheme launched at Earl Shilton’s Townlands Primary School earlier this year.

The ‘park and stride’ schemes involve the use of nearby car parks for children to then walk the rest of the way – normally five to ten minutes – to school. This is either accompanied by their parents, carers, or guardians.

The schemes aim to reduce traffic congestion, and helps children to be more active whilst benefiting the environment at the same time.

The launch of the scheme at Battling Brook Primary School in Hinckley was hailed ‘a great success’, as 25 children had taken part on the first day. Some children even volunteered to be junior safety officers, teaching their peers about road safety.

Headteacher of Battling Brook Primary School, Mr. Stewart Marsden, commented on the success of the scheme. He said: “We are very grateful that parents and carers are now able to use Wykin Car Park in the mornings and after school, and the Flintlock Pub Car Park in the mornings, enabling them to ‘park and stride’ to Battling Brook.

“This initiative promotes active travel, the reduction of traffic near the school gates and a more relaxed journey to and from school.

“Our Year 6 Junior Road Safety Officers have done a wonderful job in promoting this initiative and they are a credit to the school.”

Executive Member for Community Safety at Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, Coun. Michael Mullaney, added: “This is a great initiative that we hope will expand out to include more schools over time.

“Thanks to everyone involved for making this happen. I’d encourage more schools to come forward and contact the ‘Choose How You Move’ team, so that we can enable more active travel and reduce the amount of traffic congestion around school gates right across the borough.”

Those wanting a ‘park and stride’ scheme to be launched with their local school are being encouraged to simply email choosehowyoumove@leics.gov.uk.