A school in Canterbury has joined the fight against city congestion with the launch of a walking bus scheme.

Pupils at The Canterbury Primary School are using green travel for the school run in a bid to reduce traffic jam misery and prevent childhood obesity. They are supervised by school staff and parents as they walk to school along a set route.

Janet Tong, deputy pastoral manager and walk to school coordinator, said: “We are in the process of having a new school built so the walking bus is a great way to ease the parking problem. Once the new school is complete it will double our capacity so we can see the benefits of taking cars off the roads.

“The children are proud to be part of the walking bus and have been excited about the launch. They love to walk to school with their friends and the parents enjoy it too.”

The walking bus operates every Wednesday and the school is seeking more volunteers to help on other days of the week. Parents who’d like to volunteer can email jtong@canterbury.kent.sch.uk.

Walking buses are part of the KM Walk to School drive and aim to get children more active, reduce traffic congestion at the school gates and improve air quality. Since January, 15,802 car journeys have been taken off Canterbury roads as a result of pupils taking part in walk to school projects.

KM Walk to School is a Kent County Council and Medway Council-led initiative supported by Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Mini Babybel, Countrystyle Recycling, Specsavers, Chaucer Foundation, Eurostar, Southern Water, Orbit South, Golding Homes, Jelf Insurance Brokers, Leeds Castle, Independent Music Productions and Whitefriars shopping area.

For more information on walk to school projects, including Walk on Wednesday, Active Bug and Green Footsteps, visit www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk or call 0844 2640291.