Primary schools in Thanet have removed more than 15,000 car journeys from local roads since last October by embracing green travel.

The figure has been calculated using data supplied by schools taking part in the KM Charity Team’s award winning KM Walk to School projects Walk on Wednesday (WOW) and Active Bug.

Pupils from Birchington CE Primary School joined in the official announcement at Westwood Cross shopping centre. They revealed the district benefited from 15,360 fewer cars on the road from October to April 2015.

Tanya Morris, marketing manager at Westwood Cross, said: “Reducing over 15,000 car journeys in under a year is a huge achievement. The benefits of healthy, active children and reduced pollution on Thanet’s roads can’t be underestimated.”

The KM Walk to School campaign urges families to ditch school run car journeys for healthier options such as walking, cycling, scootering or opting to park and stride.

Amanda Berry, environmental health officer for Thanet District Council, said: “The initiative is making a real difference to the number of vehicles on our roads at peak times when congestion increases pollution and impacts on health.”

Simon Dolby, chief executive of KM Walk to School, said pupils are reaping the rewards of schools’ dedication to green travel.

“Children who walk to school benefit from regular physical exercise, learn vital road safety skills and are more alert and ready to learn in the classroom,” he said.

KM Walk to School is a Kent County Council and Medway Council led initiative supported by organisations including Ashford Borough Council, Canterbury City Council, Maidstone Borough Council, Orbit South, Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), Southern Water, Countrystyle, Eurostar, Specsavers, Whitefriars shopping area, Leeds Castle, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment and Mini Babybel.

Schools interested in having award winning green travel services in place for the next academic year should visit www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk and click on ‘Walk to School’. There is a 20% early bird discount for schools that sign up before July 1.

Fact-file

• 200 primary schools across the county use KM Walk to School resources to promote green travel every week.
• Last academic year more than 208,000 school run car journeys were removed from Kent roads by participating schools.
• KM Walk to School packages include road safety skill tests and provide Ofsted self-evaluation evidence for school management teams.