Highland Motorists Warned To Be Alert To Walk To School Week

13th May 2011

Motorists in the Highlands are being alerted by The Highland Council that Monday 16 - Friday 20 May is National Walk to School Week and over 11,000 pupils at 89 primary schools throughout the region could create an increase of pedestrians around schools.

Walk to School Week is a national campaign with a simple aim - to encourage all parents and children to make walking to school part of their daily routine.

The campaign is run by Living Streets, the national charity which stands up for pedestrians and is coordinated locally by The Highland Council's Road Safety team in TEC Services in partnership with Highland schools.

Councillor John Laing, Chairman of The Highland Council's TEC Services committee said: "Keeping our children safe, healthy and active is a vital part of their upbringing. Walk to School Week is an excellent opportunity to promote road safety issues and to drive the message home that we are all responsible for the health and safety of our young people whether we are a parent; motorist; pedestrian or pupil."

To coincide with Walk to School Week 54 schools in the Highlands are taking part in a "Golden Boot" competition organised by the Council's Road Safety team to see which school has the highest proportion of pupils walking to and from school.

Debbie Tuckwell, Highland Council's Assistant Road Safety Officer said: "Not only are we encouraging road safety awareness we are also encouraging healthy lifestyles. National statistics have shown over recent years that this campaign is vital:

* The number of children travelling to school by car over the past 20 years has doubled. (Department for Transport)
* In 2008, less than half of school journeys were made by foot (48%). With 43% made by car (National Travel Survey 2008)
* Obesity is now the second biggest cause of death after cancer. (World Health
* Walking one mile (1.6km) can burn up at least 100 calories of energy and walking two miles (3.2km) a day, three times a week, can help reduce weight by one pound (0.5kg) every three weeks. (Department of Health)

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

14/10/2026 : Local Authority

Highland Council's Offices: Go Digital, Bring in Mobile Offices and Save Money?

The banks have closed branches across the Highlands and customers have adapted.  With Highland Council facing serious financial pressures, is it time to rethink permanent offices and take council services directly to the people who need them? There was a time when going to the bank meant visiting a branch.  

12/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
The Highland Council is ready for winter - are you?

Highland Council is urging community groups to ‘apply now’ for its Winter Resilience Programme if they want grit bins in their local communities.   The Highland Council’s winter service starts on Wednesday 14 October and the Council is ready to treat - according to its policy - the 6,787km of roads for which it has responsibility.  

10/10/2026 : Local Authority

France's Schools Are in Revolt. Is Scotland Any Better?

Class sizes, teacher shortages, school buildings and the pressure on teachers reveal a more complicated picture than politicians' headline figures suggest.   Protests over the state of schools in France have raised questions that parents in Scotland might recognise.  

6/10/2026 : Local Authority

When Tourists Take the Homes: Is Europe Losing Its Housing to Tourism?

Tens of thousands of people have been protesting across Spain over the country's housing crisis, with rapidly rising rents and the growing influence of tourism among their biggest concerns.   The protests came after the Spanish parliament rejected government measures intended to strengthen tenant protection and restrict some forms of short-term rental accommodation.  

5/10/2026 : Local Authority

Still time to return Latheron, Lybster and Clyth Community Council election ballots

Anyone eligible to vote in the contested Latheron, Lybster and Clyth Community Council election is reminded that their postal ballot papers need to be completed and returned in the pre-paid envelope provided by 12 noon on Thursday, 8 October 2026.   Candidates standing were invited to submit a statement to support their candidacy and these statements are provided in the envelopes mailed out along with the ballot papers to all eligible voters.  

2/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Julie Calder wins easily for Lib Dems in East Caithnes bi-election

Dave BUCHANAN Independent 714 Julie CALDER Scottish Liberal Democrats Elected Stage 1 1,522 Charlotte GIBSON Scottish Conservative and Unionist 79 John GLEN Scottish National Party (SNP) 424 Iain RICHMOND Reform UK 283# No further preference 0 Remainder not transferred 0 Total 3,022.  

2/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council proceeds to procurement for a new electric Corran Ferry

The Highland Council has reached another significant milestone in the delivery of a replacement Corran Ferry, with the procurement for a new electric vessel.   Funded through a £58 million investment from the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal, including £28 million from the Scottish Government for the new electric vessel, £20 million from the UK Government and £10 million from The Highland Council towards landside infrastructure, the project will deliver a modern replacement ferry service for one of Scotland's busiest single-vessel crossings.  

2/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Wick and Thurso Jobs secured and bus services strengthened through D&E Coaches acquisition

Highland Council-owned D&E Coaches has confirmed the acquisition of Stagecoach’s Thurso and Wick bus operation securing local jobs.  This will protect vital services and strengthening public transport provision across the Highlands.  

30/9/2026 : Local Authority

Reforming Scotland’s Councils: Should We Test One Region Before Reorganising Them All?

Scotland is considering one of the biggest changes to local government for a generation.  The Scottish Government has proposed replacing the existing 32 councils with between six and ten regional authorities, alongside somewhere between 120 and 160 community authorities.  

30/9/2026 : Local Authority

Scottish Cities Alliance Investment Conference to showcase Highland opportunities

Inverness will welcome government representatives, investors, business leaders and economic development partners later this week as it hosts the Scottish Cities Alliance Autumn Investor Event.  A two-day programme designed to showcase investment opportunities across Inverness, the Highlands and Scotland's city regions.