NEWS RELEASE - May 25th 2000

Safe Routes to School announcement by Scottish Executive

TRANSform Scotland believes that investment in Safe Routes to School can do much to tackle morning peak hour congestion. Additionally, getting children out of parents' cars will have wider social benefits: walking and cycling improve health, provide greater independence from parents, and get children into the habit of using more sustainable modes of transport.

Colin Howden, Campaign Manager of TRANSform Scotland, said:
"It is estimated that 20% of morning peak hour traffic is children being driven to school. Twenty years ago, most of these would have walked or cycled."

"Safe Routes projects provide value for money in tackling congestion. If we really want to reduce morning rush hour jams, small-scale initiatives like Safe Routes to School will be more effective than expensive new roads or rail lines.

"Safe Routes projects can also help other important government aims of improving health and education. Raising a generation which is not wholly dependent on the car for travel, and instead walks and cycles more and breathes clean air is likely to impose less of a burden on the NHS in the future."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

(1) TRANSform Scotland is the national sustainable transport campaign, bringing together 67 organisations - including transport operators, local authorities, national environment and conservation groups, chambers of commerce and local transport groups - interested in transport, the environment and a sustainable Scotland. We can be contacted at 72 Newhaven Road, Edinburgh, EH6 5QG. Tel.: 0131-467-7714; Fax: 0131-554-8656; E-mail: campaigns@transformscotland.org.uk; web: http://www.transformscotland.org.uk

(2) Scottish Executive press release, 25/05/00: "Boyack announces £5.2 million for Safer Routes to School."

END OF NEWS RELEASE