THE number of West Dunbartonshire school pupils walking to school has dropped by 10 per cent in less than a decade, according to new figures.

A survey has found a surge in the rate of primary and secondary youngsters travelling by bus as well as small increases in the use of bicycles, scooters/skates and so-called "part and stride". Pupils getting driven to school is down.

The figures for 2016, from transport body Sustrans, are based on 454,777 children taking part across Scotland, including more than 7,000 from West Dunbartonshire.

Although the response rate from pupils was lower in 2016, they show the percentage of primary and secondary youngsterrs walking has dropped from 50.5 per cent in 2009 to 41.5 per cent last year.

Cycling has gone up from 0.7 per cent to 1.7 per cent and scooter/skate has grown from 0.3 per cent to 1.9 per cent in the "Hands Up Scotland Survey". Park and stride is up slightly, and the number travelling by taxi is static.

Bus travel has gone up dramatically from 4.7 per cent to 12.1 per cent in the past eight years while youngsters getting driven has fallen from 34.4 per cent to 30.5 per cent.

John Lauder, Sustrans Scotland’s national director, said: “The survey is crucial in helping local authorities and partners to build a more accurate picture of how Scotland’s children are choosing to travel to and from school, and helps to pin-point areas where more work can be done.

“Research has shown that increased physical activity can help us lead healthier – and happier – lives.

“By encouraging young people to travel actively for their journey to school, we can ensure Scotland’s children develop healthier travel habits that will be continued later in life.”

Nationally, 46.1 per cent of nursery pupils travel by "active transport" compared to 53.4 per cent for primary youngsters and 42.9 per cent for secondary pupils.

The biggest contrast was seen between state schools where 43.2 per cent of pupils walk and 22.2 per cent are driven, versus independent schools where just 10.8 per cent walk and 41.9 per cent are driven.