‘Walking bus’ launched at Woodfood Green school

A school in Woodford Green has launched a weekly ‘walking bus’ to give children a safe, healthy and social journey to school.

Nearly 100 children from Ray Lodge Primary School started the scheme last Wednesday (13) with balloons and a breakfast treat of croissants and fruit juice.

The ‘bus’ starts in the Orchard estate before travelling up Finchingfield Avenue to the school in Snakes Lane East.

Learning mentor Jane Griffin came up with the idea as part of the nationwide ‘Walk on Wednesdays’ scheme.

She said: “We thought it would be a good way of getting the children involved and getting a community felling going.

“If we have more parents parking further away from the school it will ease congestion and it’s nice for the children to walk in the morning rather than being cooped up in a car.”

There are several ‘bus stops’ on the route where children can join and the Redbridge Safer Street Team has provided high visibility jackets for walkers to keep.