Monmouthshire pupils pave the way for Walk to School Week

The school has been working with Monmouthshire Council to implement a new footpath, funded through the Welsh Government’s Active Travel Fund, in a bid to create a safer environment for pupils to walk, wheel, scoot and cycle to school.  

Before the improvements were carried out, the path was cracked and uneven and had fallen into disrepair, making it unsafe for pedestrians. The new widened path is now safer and more accessible for all, including wheelchair users, mobility‑scooters and families with pushchairs. 

Sara Burch, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Housing and Tourism at Monmouthshire County Council, said:  

“Upgrades like these are vital to enable as many of us as possible to use active travel for our day-to-day journeys. 

“With warmer weather hopefully on the way, I can’t wait to see how the path is used by residents and visitors. 

“Llanelly Community Council were clear that this path was a priority for action, and I am glad that we have been able to complete it.” 

Laura Service, Project Coordinator, Living Streets said: 

“We had a wonderful time celebrating Walk to School Week and the opening of a strategic active travel path next to the school, alongside local councillors, Monmouthshire County Council and Gilwern Primary School. 

“It was great to acknowledge all the people who have worked together over the years to deliver a new footpath that will support those who live at Tŷ Mawr. The path will provide an opportunity to walk, wheel, scoot and cycle together to school, giving them and our environment the best start to the day.” 

Gilwern Primary School takes part in WOW – the walk to school challenge. The pupil-led initiative from Living Streets which encourages students to log their active journeys to school using the interactive WOW Travel Tracker. Pupils who walk, wheel, cycle, scoot, or ‘Park and Stride’ to school once a week for a month are rewarded with a special collectible badge.  

In the last academic year, the school has increased walking rates by 11 percentage points and reduced the number of whole car journeys to school by 20 percentage points.