Lucky youngsters from 10 Swansea primary schools will be the first in Wales to try out a whole new way of staying safe when out and about with their classmates.
They’re getting the chance to try out a brand new invention called a Walkodile that’s designed to help keep them together on safe routes to and from school, and on visits to community amenities such as libraries.
The Walkodiles are being unveiled by Swansea Council’s road safety team at an event at the National Waterfront Museum and youngsters will be putting them through their paces.
They’ll be met by the device’s inventor Elaine Stephen, who is a primary school teacher and will be travelling from her home in Scotland for the event.
The Walkodiles are designed to keep children aged three to seven together and to prevent them running away from the group or putting themselves at risk on the roadside.
A maximum of six children each wear a high visibility, adjustable harness and are connected to the Walkodile’s flexible spine via a secure two-way clip located on the harness. Each child holds a handle with one hand and supervisors put on their high visibility vests before everyone’s ready to go.
Cllr John Hague, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “The Walkodiles are a safe, simple and straightforward device to keep young children safe and sound when they’re out and about with their classmates.
“Ten schools in Swansea will be getting them and I’m sure they’ll significantly enhance the great work the road safety team is doing to promote the Council’s Walk to School and Safe Routes in the Community strategy.”
Swansea Council Road Safety Officer Allison Gough, who has already seen the Walkodiles in action, said: “It’s very clear that children love the fun and the feel of the Walkodiles. It’s a big encouragement to them to be out and about with their friends.
“Adults looking after them say it’s brilliantly useful because it means children can’t go running off on their own and it makes for a better walking experience for everyone.”
