main content Travel plans raise £200,000 for Bromley schools

Schools in Bromley are celebrating after qualifying for a cash grant totalling nearly £200,000. The government grant will be paid to the 37 schools across the Borough who have produced a 'Travel Plan' for their school. A school travel plan aims to reduce school related congestion and make travel to and from school easier and safer.

"We are really pleased that so many schools have showed their commitment to tackling school travel issues. The money is obviously a welcome boost. Successful school travel plans translate into practical action and impact on pupils health and well being. Obesity and diabetes are real issues now, and the exercise children can get through walking to and from school can be vital," said Louise French, the School Travel Plan Officer.

Studies show that pedestrians are exposed to less pollution than car occupants whilst travelling along the same stretch of road. Research by the Environmental Transport Association reveals that in heavy traffic jams, air quality can be poorer in the car than out. Consequently, car drivers and passengers suffer up to three times as much pollution as pedestrians.

Many schools plan to spend their grants on new lighting, car park barriers and sheltered waiting areas in a bid to make a safer school environment and to encourage more walking. A travel plan looks at how children travel to school, particularly if they travel by car. It focuses on improvements which encourage pupils and parents to choose alternative methods to travel to and from school.

A school travel plan consists of:

• a brief description about the school and its catchment area;
• a list of school travel problems and concerns such as 'bad parking' and congestion;
• an action plan to overcome problems such as introducing a walking incentive scheme etc; and
• questionnaire results - pupils, parents and staff complete a survey to give their opinions about the 'school run' and ideas to help.

The capital grants have now been extended and all schools are urged to get involved in writing a School Travel Plan. Primary schools are entitled to £3,750 plus £5 per pupil and secondary schools can get £5,000 plus £5 per pupil.

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Communications Advisor on 020 8461 7670 or Caroline Townsend, Road Safety Officer on 020 8313 4498.

Further Road Safety information about road safety is available at www.bromley.gov.uk/roadsafety.