The route was noticeably safer, with less congestion and less emissions to benefit all pupils travelling actively – including a more unusual choice, travelling by unicycle.

The Castle Schools Active Travel Ambassadors campaign, ‘Park Away Week’, saw a weeklong road closure, a raffle competition for active travel and some great results:

• A huge 7.5% decrease in car use from 2023
• an increase in park & stride by 5.2%
• an increase in walking by 4.55%
• and cycling by 0.45% during their campaign.

One parent commented in the post-campaign feedback that they thought that the ATA campaign was a ‘great idea for protecting children from possible accidents and car fumes, and to encourage them to be less car dependent. Would be really good to implement this all year round!’.

Students commented ‘it feels a lot safer crossing the roads’ and ‘I think that the campaign has had a lasting impact and I have noticed less cars on the road’.

They even got positive feedback from local residents who said its an ‘excellent initiative and idea…its usually horrendous down here in the morning!’