School Travel Plans

Why do we need them?

There is a growing concern about the lack of exercise our young people get, by using a Travel Plan to promote walking and cycling to school more children will receive the health benefits of an active start to the day. Teachers claim that children who are active on their way to school are more mentally alert and ready to start their work. Over the last few decades rising use of cars to transport children has increased pollution levels and congestion around schools. Travel plans can improve environmental conditions for pupils and staff as well as the local community.

All schools are required to have a travel plan as part of the School Development Plan.

School Travel Plans can be liked to other initiatives to prevent duplication of work and Initiative Overload!*

What are they?

A school travel plan is a document that looks in detail at journey's to and from school and at ways of improving the health and safety of all who use the school. A Travel Plan can be geared to the needs of a primary, secondary, SEN school or Nursery. A plan can include any number of elements and can be produced by parents, pupils or staff but preferably with involvement of each group who form the School Travel Team.*
Each schools plan will be quite different as the environment, current travel patterns and safety concerns will vary considerably. Each Travel Plan should

Identify the current travel patterns of pupils and staff
Indicate what the school already does to promote safety, health and sustainability
Find out what worries parents, pupils, staff and the local community
Find initiatives to improve the current situation

A Travel Plan is a living document that requires revisiting for example by carrying out annual "Hands Up"* travel surveys and investigating new ways of promoting sustainable transport.

A Travel Plan could include any of the following initiatives.

Travel Awareness

Advise pupils and parents on school travel policies and arrangements in the prospectus
Include school journey details e.g. a map with information about crossing points, paths, lighting etc in arrival packs for new families
Set up a school journey notice board
Look at travel choices and safe routes to school as part of classwork.
Code of conduct for drivers, which highlights some dos & don'ts (for parents, staff and delivery drivers)

Local Safety

Develop traffic management* proposals for pedestrian safety in the school area
Develop proposals for a network of safer cycle routes serving the school.
Liase with the local community, residents and businesses
There can be big advantages in co-operating with neighbouring schools. This makes it easier to build traffic schemes with limited resources.

Walking and Cycling

Set up a Walking Bus* scheme
Hold regular Walk to School* events
Offer practical pedestrian training*
Create car-free entrances
Hold cars back until pedestrians and cyclists have left school in safety
Review visibility and practicality of school uniform
Review school start and stopping times
Review homework timetable to check on haw much children carry home
Investigate school crossing patrols* (Lollypop men/ladies)
Provide adequate storage for books, instruments, cycling gear and outdoor clothing
Consider shelters for parents and younger siblings waiting to walk children home
Install secure cycle shelters
Offer on-road cycle training*
Advise on cycle safety and arrange regular cycle maintenance* checks
Set up a cycle permit* scheme
Hold regular cycle events*
Encourage the use of cycling helmets
Run cycling awareness sessions for pupils and parents
Supply cycle helmets, reflective clothing etc. at discount prices
Paint advisory Zebra crossing within school gates near school entrance
Produce a safe cycling code* & policy.

Making Roads Safer* for Children

20 MPH zones
Additional crossings at busy and dangerous points
Pedestrian refuges - halfway point across a road
New footpaths & cycle tracks allowing pedestrians & cyclists to avoid motor traffic
Cycle lanes and cycle tracks
Parking enforcement outside school
Priority measures for school buses
Toucan crossing lights - for pedestrians & cyclists
Speed reduction measures i.e. speed humps
Increased pedestrian priority measures - raising the level of the road to the pavement at crossing points
Additional signage - no stopping during school term time
Coloured surfacing e.g. to indicate school safety zone or a school warning sign on road surface
Safe route trails marked on pavements* and recommended crossing points
Separate pedestrian and car park entrance - highlight where pedestrians should enter making it obvious, bright & colourful
Voluntary one way schemes

Public Transport

Provide public transport information for parents, pupils and staff
Explore options for new services, better routes and low fare promotions
Introduce a code of behaviour for school bus users
Consider if bus stops need to be made safer e.g. relocated
Provide parent/adult/senior pupil escorts on buses.
Training sessions e.g. take the bus to your new Academy

Reduce the impact of car travel

Set up a car sharing scheme*
Set up a parent-run minibus.
Set up a Park and Stride scheme*

Parents Support

Set up a School Travel Team and spread the word
Let the school know of their support and/or concerns
Drive more slowly and more carefully
Walk with younger children - letting older children walk independently*
Volunteer to help with a walking scheme at school - such as Pedestrian Training or Walking Bus
Park farther away from school
Consider car sharing with other families
Help raise funds for projects

Police Support*

Enforce parking restrictions (Now responsibility of Council Parking Wardens)
Enforce speed limits
Prevent pavement parking
Run road safety education/training courses
Run personal safety courses