OBAN YOUNGSTERS GEAR UP FOR TRAVEL PLAN ACTION DAY

Thursday, 18 March 2010 09:35

The schools which have pupils attending - which were chosen on a first come, first served basis - are Achaleven, Barcaldine, Kilninver, St Columba’s and Park primaries.

Sustrans has chosen to bring the event to Oban to celebrate the Travel Planning and Active Schools work which has been done there, and the Active Travel Transition Project run by Oban High School.

This project involves the S1 pupils preparing performances to illustrate the benefits of active travel to Oban High School. The winning performance is then given to the P7 pupils from the catchment primaries when they visit the High School for their introductory days towards the end of the summer term.

The performance preparation is carried out within the curriculum as part of the Personal and Social Education subject. It is sponsored by Sustrans , which also promote it widely as an example of good practice.

Among the items on the timetable for the Corran Halls event is a ‘School Travel Detectives’ slot, a session on safety and things to be careful of on the journey to school and a ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’ school travel quiz.

The youngsters will also split into groups before being challenged to come up with a catchy slogan to promote active travel to schools, complete with poster.

It is hoped the competition will motivate them to go back to their own schools and mastermind a local campaign on travelling actively.

Councillor Duncan MacIntyre, Argyll and Bute’s spokesperson for Transportation and Infrastructure and Chair of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee, said he was delighted that the event was taking place in Oban.

“Schools in this area have long been committed to promoting active travel to pupils, and this is something the children themselves now feel very strongly about,” he added.

“It is a real boost to the efforts of everyone involved that Sustrans has organised this Action Day. It promises to be great fun as well as educational, and I know the youngsters who are lucky enough to be taking part are very much looking forward to it.”

Representatives from Sustrans will also be taking the opportunity to update those present on the Oban to Fort William cycleway project, which the charity is overseeing.

Sustrans Scotland School Travel Project Officer Dr Cecilia Oram said; “Sustrans has been working with schools in Scotland for over 11 years now, so we have lots of experience in helping to make school travel more active, healthy and environmentally friendly.

“Many children live relatively short distances from school. However, the school run accounts for a fifth of all car traffic on the roads every morning. It is vital that we tackle the increasingly car-dependent school run in Scotland and encourage parents, teachers and children to take to two wheels, two feet or use public transport to travel to and from school.

“These free training days give representatives the knowledge and skills they need to champion green and healthy travel in their schools.”