main content Travel advisor scoops London-wide award

Schools across the borough who nominated Louise French, Bromley’s School Travel Plan Officer, were celebrating last week as she scooped a top award. Louise has been crowned ‘School Travel Advisor of the Year’ by Transport for London. The news follows a record number of schools agreeing travel plans. School travel plans aim to cut school related congestion and make travel to school easier and safer.

Louise French, School Travel Plan Officer said, “Of course I am pleased - it has been an absolute pleasure to work with schools across the borough, helping them write their travel plan. Travel plans act as a catalyst to encourage pupils and parents to walk or cycle to school rather than travelling by car. This can help cut congestion and keep pupils healthier than they might otherwise be.”

Louise was nominated by seventeen schools out of the 37 schools who already have worked with Louise to produce a travel plan. Judges revealed that Bromley had received more nominations than any other borough.

“Louise’s bubbly personality combined with her professional passion to tackle congestion and safety issues around our schools is making a difference. It is a massive challenge to reduce the traffic problems which are very well publicised. When schools, parents and pupils all work together, a real difference can be made and I am pleased we can play our part” said John Walton, Head of Bromley’s Road Safety Unit.

Government cash grants are available to schools who successfully complete a travel plan. Primary schools are entitled to £3750 plus £5 per pupil and secondary schools can get £5000 plus £5 per pupil. A 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.

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Communications Advisor, on 020 8461 7670 or Caroline Townsend, Road Safety Officer on 020 8313 4498 or email Andrew.rogers@bromley.gov.uk.

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