Children's road safety scheme extended

A pilot scheme teaching children road safety has been extended until 2028

A scheme in Devon which teaches children road safety has been extended due to a £100,000 investment.

The Walkability scheme teaches children essential road safety through theory and practical sessions - including understanding road signs and how to cross the road safely.

Devon County Council (DCC) said about 4,070 pupils from 48 schools had already taken part in the pilot scheme - which would continue until 2028.

It said the extra funding would mean 9,000 more children in Exeter, Newton Abbot, Barnstaple and Bideford could take part in the programme.

The scheme is delivered by Active Devon on behalf of Devon County Council and funded by Vision Zero South West.

Councillor Dan Thomas, DCC cabinet member for highways, said the training had a range of benefits.

He said: "If children are more confident in walking to and from school, hopefully it will also encourage more families to walk to school and around their local community more often.

"That can benefit their health, tackle congestion and improve air quality around local schools."

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, is chair of the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership.

She said its vision was "for a road network free of death and serious injury - and children are the future of this vision".

"By supporting pedestrian training for our young people, we are instilling that message of safety and also showing them how to be a responsible and courteous road user when they eventually learn to drive," Ms Hernandez added.