Wellie power helps 'green' travel

Schools are trying to promote sustainable ways to travel

Secure storage for bicycles, wellington boots and scooters is being installed at schools across Surrey as part of an initiative to promote "green" travel.

A total of 38 schools are sharing £216,000 handed out by Surrey County Council from government grants.

The council said scooters were the latest travel trend for children and at least 11 schools were providing storage areas with their cash.

It saves parents having to struggle to take the scooters home during the day.

Each school will get between £5,000 and £15,000 in this year's allocation from the School Travel Plan.

Money is also being used to improve safety in school grounds, such as building barriers to keep children away from traffic.

Road layout

Many are also building sheltered waiting areas for parents walking to collect their children.

Ash Grange Primary, in Ash, is buying a stock of bike helmets for pupils to use during cycle training.

Riverview Primary, Epsom is marking out a road layout in the playground to teach road safety.

And trees are being planted at Burstow Primary in Horley and Whitley Church of England Infants to help offset carbon emissions.

"The safer and easier we can make if for children and parents to use more sustainable ways of getting to and from school the better," said Councillor David Munro.

"It keeps the children healthy and alert, helps protect the environment and eases congestion."