PARENTS of children who walk to school say they feel happier and more relaxed afterwards, but a third of Welsh parents are concerned by heavy traffic on the journey to school, according to new research.

Parents who drive their children to school are more likely to be concerned about traffic than those whose children walk/wheel to school (41% compared to 27%).

Parents also noted that a lack of safe crossings (15%) and pavement parking (15%) cause them concerns on the school run. Despite this, parents of children who walk to school say they feel more relaxed and happier (37%) afterwards.

Living Streets Cymru campaigns for safer streets, so more families feel confident walking and wheeling to school. In recent years, campaign successes have included the roll-out of 20mph speed limits in residential areas in Wales.

The new data suggests this is having a positive impact, with only 26 per cent of parents in Wales saying that unsafe speeds were a concern, compared to almost half (42%) of UK parents.

Living Streets Cymru is part of the UK charity behind the biggest walk to school campaign. They are encouraging families to leave the car at home for International Walk to School Month this October with free resources available for use in the classroom and for families, including an Autumn Street Safari.

Throughout October, the charity will be sharing ways to get involved and celebrate the simple difference that walking or wheeling to school can make.

Catherine Woodhead, Chief Executive at Living Streets, said:

“As the days get shorter and darker, road safety is more important than ever. It is disheartening that so many parents are concerned by traffic, unsafe speeds and pavement parking. By walking to school, families can be part of the solution by helping take cars off the road at busy times.

“I hope that more families feel inspired to leave the car at home this International Walk to School Month and enjoy the benefits of regular exercise.”

Living Streets runs WOW – the walk to school challenge in schools across the UK. WOW sees pupils record how they get to school using the interactive WOW Travel Tracker with those who walk, wheel, cycle or scoot to school being awarded a monthly WOW badge.

WOW schools typically see 58 per cent fewer car journeys to the school gates and 18 per cent more journeys walking and wheeling all the way to school.

UEFA Vice President and ex-Wales football captain, Professor Laura McAllister, is taking part in International Walk to School Month with her daughters. She said:

"International Walk to School Month is a great opportunity for families to enjoy the benefits of fresh air and exercise in the morning. Moving our bodies can boost our mental and physical health and walking, wheeling, cycling or scooting to school helps us slow down and spend quality time together.

“Leaving the car at home – or choosing to Park and Stride where parents or carers park the car and walk or wheel for the last ten minutes of the journey – is a simple way to get some exercise, ease congestion and reduce pollution bear the school gates.”

For more information about WOW and to see if your school is eligible for funding to receive WOW receives for free, visit livingstreets.org.uk/WOW .