FOOTPATHS and crossings around schools will be upgraded under a $10 million plan to encourage children to safely walk, scoot or ride to school. Premier Chris Minns joined Education Minister Prue Car, Transport Minister Jo Haylen and Emergency Services Minister and Bankstown MP Jihad Dib, parents and students at Beverly Hills North Public School, to announce the program which will fund small projects in walking, scooting and bike riding catchments around public schools, “making it easier and safer for kids to travel to school”.
The funds will be used to widen footpaths, upgrade the quality of crossings and plant shady street trees in areas surrounding schools.
Data shows only 25 per cent of NSW school children currently walk or ride to and from school, down from 75 per cent 40 years ago, meaning less incidental exercise for children and more traffic outside the school gates.
Premier Minns recalled walking to school with his sister and wants “more children right across NSW to have that opportunity, just like we had”.
“No matter how you travel, we’re committed to making it as easy and as safe for every child in our State to get to and from school.
“These funds will play a critical role in funding small projects that otherwise go ignored, that will make a huge difference for children that walk and ride to school.
“With thousands of new students travelling to school for the very first time this week, it’s more important than ever for all users of our public transport system and roads to take extra care.”
Boost pedestrian pathways
Spending $10m to make it safer for young to walk to school
