A Canterbury school has launched a walking bus scheme to fight childhood obesity and traffic jams and has found an unexpected additional benefit.

Parents and pupils were joined by green travel supporters Charles Bainbridge Estate Agents and Kent County Council at the official launch of the new walking bus service to Bridge and Patrixbourne CE Primary School.

Rachel McInnes, parent coordinator for the scheme, said: “Initially the walking bus was established to ease congestion around the busy school area, but a happy consequence is a real sense of cooperation and community spirit between parents, the children and the school.”

She added: “The children really enjoy chatting to their new found friends on the bus and are proud to walk into school together, as are the fantastically supportive parent helpers - I think it sets us all up for a good day.”

The walking bus became operational in October and has already become a daily service for 31 children. Thirteen parent volunteers are on board to assist with the running of the scheme.

Walking buses are columns of children walking in crocodile formation to school supervised by authorised volunteer parents or members of school staff. Run by the KM Charity Team, they are a key part of the KM Walk to School campaign which also includes the schemes Walk on Wednesday (WOW) and Active Bug.

More than quarter of a million school run car journeys were removed from Kent roads last academic year because of the small army of families ditching the car for eco-friendly travel.

KM Walk to School is a Kent County Council and Medway Council led initiative supported by Circle Housing Russet, Whitefriars shopping area, Safer Kent, Bexley Council, Ashford Borough Council, Maidstone Borough Council, Orbit South, Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), Leeds Castle, Eurostar, Specsavers, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment and Mini Babybel.

Karen Brinkman of KM Walk to School said: “I’m impressed by the way families have wholeheartedly embraced Bridge and Patrixbourne Primary’s walking bus. They’re reaping the benefits of healthier, more active children and fewer cars jostling for a place near the school gate.”

Schools can register for KM Walk to School this term and have green travel in place for the New Year by contacting Louise Rogerson at lrogerson@thekmgroup.co.uk, on 0844 264 0291 or by visiting www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk.