VIDEO: Pupils take to the streets in a bid to make drivers slow down around Barking

Pupils marched through the streets chanting “slow down” in a bid to draw awareness to the dangers of speeding.

Northbury Junior School walked in pairs to form a giant walking bus as part of road safety charity Brake’s annual campaign encouraging drivers to go at 20mph or below around schools, homes and shops to protect children on foot.

The schoolchildren joined more than 100,00 others nationwide as they clapped and chanted around streets near to the school in North Street, Barking, yesterday.

Assistant Headteacher Mrs Ethel Jordan, said: “We’re delighted to be taking part in the Giant Walking Bus because it is a fantastic event that helps to promote road safety to children, parents and local drivers.”

Year six pupil Fergo Ozpokay, 11, said: “I felt like I really could make people slow down. Some people noticed us and they stopped and listened then after they drove away more slowly.”

Statistics reveal that 23 children every school day are run over and hurt when walking or cycling to or from school in the UK.

Julie Townsend, Brake’s deputy chief executive, said: “We’re appealing to drivers to listen to the thousands of kids who marched on Wednesday, and take the simple step of slowing down to 20mph or less around homes, schools and shops.

“It’s a case of putting kids before getting there a few minutes faster.”