Highways Bulletin: Feet First into Road Safety for Children

Published on: 4 Jan, 2026
Updated on: 4 Jan, 2026

The information for this bulletin comes from Surrey County Council and is written by them.

Report potholes and highway issues here.

Junction 10, M25 news here.Walking Training programme is helping more children than ever learn how to walk safely on our roads.

Aimed at children aged 7 to 8 (Year 3), Feet First teaches essential road safety skills, helping children walk confidently with parents or carers and building the foundations for independent travel as they grow older. The programme blends easy-to-follow online learning with practical, on-road sessions delivered in schools by our trained Walking Instructors.

Feet First plays an important role in Surrey’s Vision Zero approach to road safety in primary schools. By encouraging walking for everyday journeys, it also supports children’s health and wellbeing, improves local air quality and helps reduce carbon emissions.

Since launching in June 2022, the programme has grown rapidly. In its first year, Feet First was delivered in 18 schools, reaching 910 children. By July 2025, it had expanded to 139 schools, with more than 6,000 children taking part. This growth reflects the increasing demand from schools and families for high-quality road safety education.

Looking ahead, SCC is working towards reaching 75 per cent of all Year 3 pupils by 2030, ensuring even more children gain these vital life skills. Funding continues to be supported so that children eligible for Free School Meals can take part in Feet First and Bikeability training at no cost.

In November 2024, the programme received national recognition after being named Team of the Year at the Modeshift National Sustainable Travel Awards.

Parents and carers are encouraged to speak to their child’s school about booking Feet First training and help more children travel safely and confidently across Surrey.

For more information please see the Frequently asked questions about the Feet First: Walking Training for schools – Surrey County Council

For details of roadworks in the Guildford area please click here.