Llyr Gruffydd MS Member of the Senedd for North Wales

An MS has congratulated Denbighshire school pupils for winning an active travel award.

Llŷr Gruffydd, who represents North Wales in the Senedd, described Ysgol Llywelyn’s achievement of becoming the first school in the region to win a Sustrans Cymru Gold Award as “hugely impressive”.

Mr Gruffydd, of Plaid Cymru, recently visited to school to hear about the work children have been doing to change the way they travel to school so that it’s healthier and more environmentally friendly.

Sustrans Cymru is a charity that is on a mission to help communities come to life though walking, wheeling and cycling to create healthier places and happier lives for everyone.

Llŷr Gruffydd said: “It was an absolute pleasure to meet staff and pupils at Ysgol Llywelyn, and I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to them for their warm welcome.

“It’s a hugely impressive achievement to become the first school in the north of Wales to be awarded Sustrans Cymru Gold Award for promoting active travel.

“The pupils have clearly gone above and beyond in making active travel an everyday part of school life, and have made it fun at the same time.

“They are a great example to other pupils across the region of what can be achieved and of how schools can be proactive, challenge travel behaviours and change them for everyone’s benefit.

“This award isn’t just a wonderful accomplishment for the school. It’s also a wonderful accomplishment for the local community.

“I want to see active travel become the norm in Wales where that’s possible. Walking, cycling or scooting to school should be a safe, easy and accessible option for all children in Wales.

“Changing the way we travel to school is an effective way of increasing activity levels amongst children, and it is also key if we are going to tackle air pollution. Sustrans Cymru is making a vital contribution to bring this about.”