Manchester City Council

Schemes such as walking buses, school travel plans and the popular Green Miles competition are encouraging increasing numbers of parents and pupils walking or cycling to school.

In the past three years, a total of 109 schools across the city have committed themselves to cutting the number of cars on the school run.

This year alone, approximately £400,000 government funding has been allocated to a number of Manchester schools that have developed a school travel plan or initiated a walking bus scheme.

The grants can be spent on establishing walking bus projects, making it easier for parents to walk, rather than drive, their children to school. Grants can also be used on resources such as cycle stands, parent waiting shelters and lockers for pupils who walk or cycle to school. The aim is to reduce the number of car journeys on the school run, creating a greener, safer and healthier environment for everyone.

More than 60 schools also took part in the City Council's Green Miles competition in March, where schools and classes competed against each other to achieve the largest number of pupils travelling to school without using the car. An average of 77% of pupils and parents managed to do without the car for a fortnight.

This year's Green Miles winners were Ringway Primary and the runners up were Haveley Hey Primary School, both in Wythenshawe.

Manchester City Council's executive member for the environment, Councillor Neil Swannick, said: "I am absolutely delighted that these City Council initiatives have had such a positive impact on the school travel routines of so many Manchester families.

"As well as being enjoyable, walking or cycling to school has so many benefits for children and their families. Research shows that as well as boosting health and fitness, exercise increases children's alertness and makes them better learners.

"I hope that many more schools take up the green travel challenge by getting involved in council initiatives to encourage pupils and parents to leave the car at home."

For more information, schools should contact school travel adviser, Kathy Collins, on: 0161 234 4312

• Deborah Grace or Rebecca Kennedy, tel 0161 234 3332