Walk-to-school snake cuts the congestion

Posted on January 20, 2007

Flourescent green snakes of children wound their way through the streets of Eaton Bray and Edlesborough last Monday in a new incentive aimed at cutting traffic chaos in the villages.

It's hoped that the walk-to-school initiative, started by child-minder Debbie Dunstan, will reduce the number of local parents dropping off their children outside Edlesborough School in the village High Street.

Parents and staff have long voiced their concerns about the dangers to the school's 250 children from lorries, buses, speeding motorists and poor parking.

Each day parents, many of whom live less than half a mile from the school, stop or leave their vehicles at road junctions and on hazard warning lines to ensure their children have the shortest possible walk to school.

Now Mrs Dunstan and her volunteer helpers are escorting about 37 children, aged under eight, from meeting points at Leighton Road in Edlesborough and from Yew Tree Close, Eaton Bray, to the school each morning.

She said: "The parking outside the school is horrendous and we have to do something to reduce the congestion.

"The walking bus scheme means that parents don't have to walk themselves. The adult escorts and all the children taking part have received training and we're very distinctive in our green tabards.

"When we've been out on the streets cars have been slowing down for us which is unbelievable."

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 16 January 2007