WEST Devon schools? achievements in encouraging greener and healthier travel were recognised by Transport Minister David Jamieson at a special awards ceremony on Friday.
Five local schools were among 40 in Devon who received Devon County Council TravelWise awards at West Exe Technology College in Exeter, with Milton Abbot and North Tawton primaries achieving bronze, Tavistock College silver and Cheriton Bishop and South Tawton gold.
Bronze winners Halwill and Shebbear primary schools will be included in a list of a further 19 who will be presented with awards at the Park School in Barnstaple tomorrow (Friday.)
All schools signing up with TravelWise have to develop a school travel plan, which focuses on ways of reducing car travel to and from school. To qualify for an award they have to then fulfill criteria ranging from carrying out surveys to providing proof that car journeys to school have been cut.
Mr Jamieson said: ?I am delighted to see the excellent work being carried out across Devon by teachers, parents and pupils have taken to heart the message of using safe, healthy and environmentally friendly ways of getting to school.
?There are so many benefits to be gained by reducing the number of vehicles taking part in the school run such as reducing pollution from exhaust fumes, improving road safety for pedestrians and cyclists and providing daily exercise for those cycling and walking to school.?