The Kent Walking Bus

There are a wide range of factors that prompt parents and teachers into getting a Walking Bus started. In this section of the Walking Bus site we give each of the schemes operating in Kent an opportunity to explain why they set up a 'bus' and what lessons they can pass on to those just starting.
They detail the routes of their 'bus' to help promote their scheme.

Blean School Walking Bus is one of the newest in the area and very much in its infancy. A series of meetings were held at the school facilitated by Mr Oliver the head teacher to gauge the interest and support. Initially it was hoped to start after Easter 2003 but delays in getting the disclosures meant that this was not possible. Not to be daunted another meeting was held at school in September and a start date fixed.

Support for two routes had been strong � along Rough Common Road and from Blean Church along the Crab and Winkle Line. After several delays the Highways Department eventually passed them as being safe and we were off.

We held one further meeting at my home to set down guidelines, draw up timetables, set Bus Stops and look at helper/children ratios.

There are currently two routes operating with a small third scheme - running from the University of Kent campus - operating two mornings a week.

Blean Church Route: The children meet at Blean Church at 8.30am on Monday mornings only. From here they walk via the Crab and Winkle Line to the school and enter through the back gate. This route is co-ordinated by Sarah Vincent and Godfrey King.

We walk every morning and arrive at the front entrance of the school. The children were very keen that their Walking Bus had it's own Bus Stop signs so laminated signs have been put and we are grateful to the local residents for allowing this. This route is co-ordinated by Jackie Curd and Dawn Williams.

After the first two weeks we sent out a newsletter to the whole school. In it we answered lots of misconceptions that we felt people still had which may have been preventing them joining. We also advertised the routes and the timetables. This was quite successful and several more families joined us � but we still have room for more.