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The TravelSmart team is launching a Ten-Minute Walking Zone campaign to reduce congestion, lower pollution, and promote healthy lifestyles. Your school is already in the top 3 across the city for walking, cycling, and scooting to school—an excellent achievement! This pack offers ideas to help keep you there.
What is the Ten-Minute Walking Zone Campaign?
The campaign is aimed at families who live within a 10-minute walk of the school but may still drive due to habit or necessity. We encourage parents to rethink these short journeys and opt for walking, cycling, or scooting as much as possible. Together, we can:
- Make the school area safer by reducing traffic.
- Improve air quality.
- Promote healthier lifestyles.
- Make the journey fun for everyone!
Ten-Minute Walking Zone Map
Do you live within or near the zone? Are you walking, cycling, or scooting to school?
Why Walking May Be Faster than Driving
It may seem like driving is always quicker, but have you considered the time it takes to:
- Strap children into car seats.
- Navigate busy roads.
- Find parking at the school gates.
- Unstrap children and walk them to the gate.
If you live within the Ten-Minute Walking Zone, walking is often quicker!
Health Benefits
- Children should exercise for at least 60 minutes a day.
- A 10-15 minute walk, twice a day, helps meet that goal.
If you live further away, consider parking on the edge of the zone and walking the rest of the way. This way, you’ll still get the benefits of active travel.
Benefits of Walking to School
- Pedestrian & road safety skills: Children learn important safety skills.
- Reduced traffic congestion: Less stress over finding a parking space.
- Safer school gates: Fewer cars mean a safer environment for pedestrians.
- Save time: Walking may be faster than sitting in school traffic.
- Better alertness: Pupils arrive at school more focused and on time.
- Improved air quality: Fewer emissions near the school.
- Physical exercise: Walking promotes moderate daily activity.
Small Changes, Big Impact
It may be challenging to walk to school every day, but consider active travel just one or two days a week. Try a:
- Walking Wednesday
- Feet First Friday
Small changes are easier to stick with and can make a big difference in your school run and short journeys.
How Are Children Travelling Now?
The graph below shows how pupils at Holden Lane Primary School travel compared to other schools across the city. Holden Lane is well above the city average—great work! Keep it up!
Park & Stride
Worried about busy roads, heavy bags, or getting to work on time? Park & Stride lets you park a short walk from school, then walk the last 10 minutes to the gate.
TravelSmart can help set up Park & Stride schemes with parent groups and school staff. We’ll work to find pick-up and drop-off points—such as pub car parks, supermarkets, or council facilities. For more details, email us at: travel.smart@stoke.gov.uk.
Road Safety Resources
Your children are taught road safety at school, but these sites offer additional tips:
For more road safety information, visit THINK!.
Public Transport
Can public transport work for your school run? It’s a greener option, and if you hop off a stop early, you can also get your 10 minutes of exercise!
Find routes and timetables at:
First Bus – Potteries
Stay Connected
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook:
@TravelSmartSoT
Become part of the #SchoolRunRevolution and join us to #WalkCycleScoot!
