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World Record Walking Bus
World Record Walking Bus
On 8 October 2003 in an event organised by Kingston Council's Road Safety and Travel Awareness Unit and Transport for London, 1,109 children, parents and teachers from four Kingston schools joined together to create the biggest ever Walking Bus, as a celebration of International Walk to School Day.
Fern Hill Primary, Latchmere Infants and Juniors andSt Agatha's Catholic Primary schools joined together in a Walking Bus that travelled just over a mile from the YMCA Hawker Centre, along the Thames Path and onto their respective schools.
Cheered on by Record Breakers' celebrity Cheryl Baker, the Deputy Mayor for London Jenny Jones, former Mayor of Kingston Councillor Dennie Doe and the Council's Walking to School mascot Debra the Zebra, everyone enjoyed a carnival atmosphere as they put their best foot forward and left the car at home for the day.
Six year old Isabella Ash was one of many to enjoy the occassion: "We were all very nervous about doing the record. Walking is really fun and good for the environment", she said.
Councillor Tricia Bamford, Executive Member for Environmental Strategy, also took part in the walk. "I am delighted that our fantastic achievement has now been officially recognised", she said. "Kingston Council has invested a lot of effort into encouraging walking to school over the past seven years".
"Walking Buses make a great contribution to improving quality of life and the environment, and help bring communities together".
For more information about the Walking Bus scheme in Kingston, call the Road Safety &Travel Awareness Unit on 0208 547 5865