Children at a Sandwell school are getting to school safely thanks to a new walking bus scheme.

Sandwell Council’s highways team has been working with Yew Tree Primary, local councillors, the neighbourhoods team and West Midlands Police to tackle dangerous parking and congestion at drop-off and pick-up times.
 
The walking bus scheme means parents can sign up to use a drop-off zone five minutes from the school on the Yew Tree Estate. Children then walk safely to their classes with a “walking bus conductor”. There’s also a Park and Stride programme - where parents or carers can park their cars away from the school gate and walk the short distance with their children to school.
 
Statistics show that children who walk to school in the morning arrive at school more energised, alert and ready to learn. Pupils have also created colourful banners and signs pointing out the dangers of poor parking outside the school. Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for highways and environment Councillor David Hosell said:

“Not only does the walking bus mean children are getting a bit of extra exercise every day, it’s made the area directly outside the school a lot safer for everyone.
 
“Our highways team have done a lot of work with the school, including delivering road safety assemblies which the children have really enjoyed. I’m incredibly pleased to see what’s come out of this work to actively keep children safe on their way to and from school.”
 
Yew Tree Primary School head teacher Rachel Hawkins added: “The walking bus is proving to be a great way to increase children’s activity levels whilst reducing the number of cars around the school. 
 
“Our pupils have created some wonderful road safety posters and banners and we are very proud of their efforts and creativity.”