The KM Walk to School campaign has taken a leading role at a conference between public health and highways agencies to encourage healthier habits in Kent.

Representatives from Kent County Council (KCC), NHS and health and green travel organisations gathered for workshops on KCC’s Active Travel Strategy. The strategy aims to promote green travel over car journeys to improve health and wellbeing in the community as well as reduce traffic congestion and associated air and noise pollution.

The conference was staged at Kent Cyclopark, Gravesend and Simon Dolby of the KM Charity Team, which runs the KM Walk to School campaign, was a key speaker.

Cllr Clive Pearman of KCC said the purpose of the event was to develop the Active Travel Strategy, which is about finding ways to get people fitter and discourage car use.

“These workshops inform the detail of the strategy and we can then take that for public consultation and hopefully begin to get something that is workable,” he said.

Organisations backing KM Walk to School include Medway Council, Southern Water, Countrystyle, Eurostar, Specsavers, Whitefriars shopping area, Leeds Castle, Ashford Borough Council, Canterbury City Council, Maidstone Borough Council, Thanet District Council, Orbit South, Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Mini Babybel and Westwood Cross.

Find out more about KM Walk to School at www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk or by clicking here for Walk on Wednesday (WOW) or here for Active Bug.