MP Rayner gets active to mark Walk to School Week

Ashton and Failsworth MP Angela Rayner put her best foot forward as she joined local children to mark Walk to School Week.

Ms Rayner visited Holden Clough Community Primary School in St Albans Avenue, Ashton, to hear how pupils have been getting more active in a bid to help the environment.

The annual initiative, organised by Living Streets, aims to create a better and safer walking environment to enable more families to ditch their cars and walk to school.

Ms Rayner has worked with the school and local police in the past to tackle traffic problems on the surrounding streets caused by motorists parking dangerously at drop off and pick up times.

At Holden Clough, each class were tasked with walking to and from school as much as they could during the week of action and they logged the number of pupils who did it each day.

Along with Headteacher Faik Kordemir and Chair of Governors, Stephen Longley, Ms Rayner spoke to Year Six pupils (below) about how they had enjoyed taking part.

She also discussed Bills currently being debated in Parliament relating to the environment.

The local MP said: “It was wonderful to meet with the children and hear how passionate they are about doing their bit to tackle climate change.

"Walking is the oldest, greenest transport there is.

"It improves mental and physical health, reduces air pollution and carbon emissions and the best bit is, it’s free!

“I think most of us discovered a newfound love of walking during lockdown so I really hope the children keep it up now that the week of action has ended.

“One in five car journeys in the morning are parents on the school run so if we can reduce that bit by bit it will really help with childrens’ health and the environment."

Headteacher Mr Kordemir added: “It was great to have Angela in school to support Walk to School Week.

"The schools’ pupil leadership team had been very excited meeting her after what has been a very challenging time for every school across the country.

“They enjoyed a lively and thoughtful discussion about the traffic around the school, exercise, healthy lifestyles and environmental issues.

"We will endeavour to keep up our good walking habits from now on.”

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