Our successful child pedestrian safety training for primary schoolchildren has received additional funding from Vision Zero South West to continue through to March 2028.
“Walkability” child pedestrian training launched last year, and more than 4,070 pupils from 48 schools in Exeter, North Devon and the surrounding area have so far taken part in the current pilot, which is delivered by Active Devon on behalf of Devon County Council and funded by Vision Zero South West.
With the pilot due to be completed in March 2026, the £100,000 funding allocation will extend the scheme for another two years.
This will enable a further 9,000 children aged between seven and 11 years old (in school years three to six) in Exeter, Newton Abbot, Barnstaple and Bideford to take part in the free training programme.
The programme covers a range of essential road safety topics through theory and practical sessions. Children gain an understanding of road signs and what they mean, how to identify safe routes to cross and navigate road crossings. They are also taught the Green Cross Code and the benefits of walking.
Councillor Dan Thomas, Cabinet Member for Highways, said:
“Working with our Vision Zero South West partners, we’re committed to reducing child pedestrian casualties on Devon’s roads and I’m pleased that Vision Zero is supporting Walkability with funding. This training, delivered by Active Devon, is a perfect way not only to raise children’s awareness of road safety but also to arm them with the knowledge and skills which will help them throughout the rest of their lives. If children are more confident in walking to and from school, hopefully it will also encourage more families to walk to school and around their local community more often. That can benefit their health, tackle congestion and improve air quality around local schools.”
Louise Marshall, Active Devon’s director responsible for programme delivery said: “We are delighted to receive additional funding to continue delivering this essential programme, reaching even more children with practical advice to encourage walking to school. Our qualified team of Walkability instructors have been inundated by requests from primary schools, showing that there is a real need to support our children to feel more confident in and around traffic. After completion of the two-hour training each child takes home a booklet sharing what has been taught to enable parents to continue the learning experience at home.”
Alison Hernandez, Police & Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, is chair of the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership. Commissioner Hernandez said: “Our vision is for a road network free of death and serious injury – and children are the future of this vision. By supporting pedestrian training for our young people, we are instilling that message of safety and also showing them how to be a responsible and courteous road user when they eventually learn to drive. We believe road safety should be a compulsory part of the school curriculum in the UK and eagerly await details of the Government’s impending road safety strategy to see if this has been addressed.”
Across the Vision Zero South West area, pedestrian casualties (all severities) aged up to 19 years old have increased from 104 children in 2020 to 116 in 2024.
To find out more or to book Walkability training visit https://activedevon.org/walkability/ You can also contact Active Devon on 01392 925150 or email walkability@activedevon.org.
Schools and children are encouraged to participate in two free events hosted by road safety charity BRAKE. Road Safety Week 16 to 22 November 2025 and Beep Beep! Days Wednesday 18 March 2026. Please complete the following short survey afterwards.