Walking bus bonanza!

The children aged from five to 11 along with 100,000 others from across the country, got on board this special campaign during Child Safety Week

This Giant Walking Bus, sponsored by Bridgestone, set off to help teach children about safe walking, while also highlighting safe driving to protect children on foot. 

In addition, the project flagged up the Road Safety charity, Brake, which campaigns for safer roads and supports families bereaved and injured in road crashes.

Every school taking part started at the same time and walked 500m on a safe route - or around their school grounds. 

At Heycroft School they carried placards with road safety messages, and were joined on their journey by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's popular Road Safety mascot, Ziggy the Cat.

The Council's Executive Councillor for Transport and Planning, Councillor Tony Cox said: "Congratulations to staff and children of Heycroft and Blenhem Schools for joining this very important campaign.

"Road safety is a vital issue which we must all take responsibility for. Everyone must abide by the rules of the road and keep vigilant constantly to prevent putting anyone else at risk.

"Parents are more and more likely to take their child to school by car than let them walk or cycle. The school run now accounts for 21 per cent of car trips in urban areas at peak times."

Heycroft School Head Teacher, Andrew Palmer said: "Children's safety is of paramount importance to us all and teaching children to be safe pedestrians from an early age is so important in a busy town.  

"Taking part in the Giant Walking Bus was a positive way to focus on the issue of road safety and we were proud to be part of it."    

The road safety charity, Brake, at http://www.brake.org.uk/ is calling for Government action to tackle road dangers, including 20mph limits as the norm in communities and investment in safe walking and cycling facilities like crossings, pavements and cycle paths.