All schools are being encouraged to develop and implement school travel plans, which aim to:
- Reduce traffic congestion around schools.
- Increase personal safety of pupils and parents on the way to and from school.
- Offer children and parents an alternative choice of travel mode.
- Reduce the risk of being injured in a crash.
- Improve health and fitness.
- Meet school pupil’s needs by identifying problems they face on the school journey.
- Develop pupil independence and confidence.
- Reduce the vicious circle of school travel (i.e. Parents fear danger from traffic – parents drive children/pupils to school – traffic increases – parents fear danger from traffic).
Developing a School Travel Plan
Developing an STP need not be a complex or lengthy process, as the plan content will vary according to the specific needs of individual schools. Ideally the STP should be a living document, i.e. one that will be subject to change and improvements.
A typical plan could include the following headings:
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Introduction — What is an STP and why is it required for your school.
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Brief description of school — This will include the number of pupils, where the school is located, catchment area and any relevant factors that may be effecting school travel.
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Evidence of consultation — This will involve school travel surveys and or questionnaires.
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Proposed initiatives with objectives and targets — These could include traffic calming measures, safer crossing facilities, cycle paths and other remedial measures .
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Programme for implementation — When will steps be taken by the school and what needs to be undertaken by the local authority.
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Plans for monitoring and review — How will the changes be monitored and reported.
If you’d like additional information about school travel plans please contact us or telephone 029 2078 8521.
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