Bid to boost active school travel failing

Transport Correspondent

Friday 6 July 2012

LESS than half of Scotland's pupils walk or cycle to school, according to a new survey which found that years of Government policy designed to boost "active" travel has failed to make any impact at a national level.

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DAMIEN HENDERSON Transport Correspondent

Nearly 46% of children walked to school, while a further 3% rode by bike in 2011, down from 51% for both forms of travel four years earlier, a survey carried out for the Scottish Government by charity Sustrans has found.

The proportion of children being driven or takeing the bus to school has also remained static since 2008, at 22% and 18% respectively, according to the poll, which saw more than 440,000 children interviewed.Sustrans national director John Lauder said the figures sent out a "clear message for the Scottish Government – without serious investment we won't see an increase in children walking or cycling to school".Transport Minister Keith Brown defended the Government's commitment to active travel. He said: "Since 2007, the Scottish Government has invested over £83m in infrastructure and measures to encourage more active travel. Over the next three years we will invest £27m in cycling alone."

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Bid to boost active school travel failing

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