Train now leaving is the school special (From Penarth Times)

Train now leaving is the school special

IT was all aboard as Wales' first cycle train - an initiative aimed at cutting down the number of cars on the school run - set off for a Penarth Primary School on Friday.

Under the Vale of Glam-organ Council initiative, children travel to school together in groups along specially-constructed cycle paths, under the supervision of an adult.

Alun Jenkins, headmaster of Evenlode Primary, said: "I think it is an excellent initiative, which we hope will make a significant contribution to improving road safety.

"At peak times, there's a lot of traffic on the road. Any-thing that can be done to alleviate that is a great benefit."

The new scheme was launched as part of the Bike to School Week.

The council used a Welsh Assembly Government grant to construct the cycle paths.

Mike Dacey, Vale council senior road safety officer, said: "A Bike Train is the two-wheeled version of the Walking Bus, where children go to school together in a safe and supervised manner.

"On bikes it is a bit more complicated, because children need intensive rider training before they can venture out into the traffic beyond the school gates.

"But now enough Years 10 and 11 children at Evenlode have qualified to complete the first Welsh Bike Train, complete with driver, engineer and guard."

The pupils meet at a pre-arranged spot and then ride a mile to school together on a route crossing the main road on a new Toucan Crossing.

The council hopes parents will form a daily rota to accompany the children.