Ealing Council’s school travel team has been recognised for its outstanding impact on how people choose to travel, encouraging active travel locally and around the country.

Two members of the team, Nicky Batkin and Helen Collinson, received honorary membership at the Modeshift Awards 2023 on 23 November in York.

Modeshift is a charity that promotes active and sustainable travel for businesses, education organisations and communities.

Walking, scooting and cycling to school is fun

To encourage more walking, scooting and cycling in the winter months, the sustainable school travel team in Ealing, working with teams in Derbyshire, Stoke, and Essex, produced an active travel advent calendar and song, performed by students from Villiers High School in Southall.

The song is being used by schools to help spread the message that walking, scooting and cycling are fun and healthy ways of travelling to and from school each day.

Active travel in Ealing

Ealing Council’s school streets programme is encouraging more children to travel to and from school on foot, by bike or scooter. The programme works by closing the streets around schools to traffic at school opening and closing times.

Councillor Deirdre Costigan, deputy leader and cabinet member for climate action said: “Congratulations to Helen and Nicky for their incredible contribution to active travel. This is a much deserved recognition.

“One of the campaigns the school travel team should be most proud of is the school streets programme. With 24 school streets across the borough, the initiative helps keep kids safe, as well as cutting air pollution and creating a more pleasant environment around schools.

“Already lots more children in Ealing are walking, cycling and scooting to school. By doing this schools are helping to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution while improving physical and mental wellbeing. It’s also great to see the programme creating a sense of community spirit in our borough”

The award also recognised Nicky’s 11 years of service to the Modeshift management board, including the role in developing the national sustainable travel awards and sharing best practice.