More than 250,000 school run car journeys have been removed from Kent and Medway’s roads thanks to the barnstorming success of the KM Walk to School campaign.

Selected schools taking part in the campaign’s green travel schemes Walk on Wednesday (WOW) and Active Bug were invited to a celebration at Leeds Castle to help announce the record figure.

They revealed the county’s roads have been spared from a total of 250,871 car journeys to school this academic year, trouncing last year’s results by more than 40,000.

Pupils and teachers were congratulated by KM Walk to School mascot Buster Bug and supporting organisations Golding Homes, Countrystyle Recycling, Kent County Council (KCC), Medway Council, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment and Orbit South.

David Joyner, transport and safety policy manager for KCC, said: “Half of adults don’t take the recommended physical activity each week and up to a third of children are obese and not healthy weight by the time they leave primary schools.

“Walk to school is fantastic in helping to achieve reduction in these issues.”

Claire Harris, travel initiatives coordinator at Medway Council, added: “Even if they can just walk once a week it’s brilliant just to get people’s travel movements changing.”

WOW and Active Bug are also supported by Ashford Borough Council, Canterbury City Council, Maidstone Borough Council, Thanet District Council, Westwood Cross, Southern Water, Eurostar, Specsavers, Whitefriars shopping area, and Mini Babybel.

Simon Dolby, chief executive of KM Walk to School, said: “We’re so proud of this fantastic achievement which is making great strides in improving air quality, traffic flow and pupil health and wellbeing throughout the county.”

Schools that sign up to KM Walk to School by the last day of summer term can implement green travel for the next academic year at a 20% discount. Visit www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk or call Louise Rogerson on 0844 264 0291 to register.

Click here to view photographs of the Leeds Castle summer school celebration.