main content School travel plans continue their winning streak!

The latest award school travel plan award shows that Bromley's School Travel Plan team are on the right road when it comes to advising schools about issues related to school travel. The prestigious title of School Travel Plan borough of the year was awarded at the annual Transport for London Sustainable Transport Awards. In addition, the Council's Travel Plan Advisor for schools was shortlisted for the ‘Travel Advisor of the Year’ award - which she won last year.

"This latest award is a real testimony to the enthusiasm that schools have shown in devising school travel plans. The plans bring together all aspects relating to school travel - so they tackle road safety issues as well as school related congestion. We have been working closely with teachers, parents and pupils as the whole school community has an impact on transport and travel in the vicinity of the school. Already, some of our surveys show we are having an impact - but this is a long term project." said Louise French, Bromley Travel Advisor.

A variety of initiatives have been used to encourage pupils and parents to walk to school. The WoW (Walk on Wednesday) Scheme is one of the initiatives. It currently has over 11,000 participants from across the borough. Numbers are expected to rise again in September, when the new term starts. 'Hands up' surveys indicate that there have been some behavioural changes with a recorded 13% reduction in the numbers of pupils travelling to school by car.

Government grants are available to encourage schools to successfully complete a school travel plan. There is a government target that requires all schools to have a travel plan by 2010. Already, 58% of schools have approved travel plans in place. Primary schools are entitled to £3,750 plus £5 per pupil and secondary and special schools can be awarded up to £5,000 plus £5 per pupil. Plans consists of:

• a brief description of the schools 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.
• questionnaire results - pupils, parents and staff complete a survey to give their opinions about the ‘school run’ and ideas to help.

The Government requires all schools to have a travel plan by 2009 with capital grants available to non-independent schools. For more information contact the School Travel Plan team on 020 8313 4546 or email schooltravelplans@bromley.gov.uk

ENDS

Editor's notes:

Bromley is the only London Borough to submit any reports on significant changes in use of transport for the school run. The reports have been presented to the Transport for London (TFL) Board and the Greater London Authority (GLA).

For media enquiries, please contact Amy Bevins, Strategy Development Officer, on 020 8313 4738 or Caroline Townsend, Road Safety Officer on 020 8313 4498 or E-mail amy.bevins@bromley.gov.uk

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