I REFER to National Walk to School Week, (May 21 May 25). When I was growing up, I had the freedom from a very young age to cycle to friends' houses without my parents worrying. From the age of seven, I caught a public bus to go several miles to primary school. Many of today's parents can tell a similar story. Most of us either walked, cycled or caught the bus to school.

Times have changed, traffic has increased and it is predicted to continue. Cars are built to go faster than the national speed limit and positively strain at slower speeds. The emphasis is on in-car safety and bull bars and bumpers being fitted without restraint or regard for the safety of pedestrians or cyclists.

Many parents now drive their children to school, but in doing so they add to the danger outside the school gates. I have seen many mums and dads reversing towards the school entrance, parking on zig-zag lines and getting their own children safely' to school.

It is now time to stop this trend. We need to help each other out and take turns to escort children to school, park and walk' if we live too far to walk from home. We can make a difference to our children's future. In doing so we also benefit from the exercise and improve the environment. Let's walk or cycle to school this week and see the difference.

Cathy Gaulter-Carter

Aylesbury Road

Thame