2006-2011 LTP Annex 2

Background

Nationally, the proportion of primary aged children who walk to school has declined from 61% to 50% over the last decade, with a corresponding rise in car travel.  The proportion of secondary pupils walking has remained stable at 44%, but the proportion cycling has declined from 4% to 3%. This situation has evolved due to a wide range of complex issues, including parental concerns over child safety and security during the journey to school, rising car ownership, and an increase in the number of mothers working full or part time.

The increase in car travel to school has resulted in an increase in congestion and pollution around schools, and the lack of physical exercise has been shown to lead to a decline in pupils’ health and fitness.

In Warwickshire, the trend is similar to that observed nationally. An annual countywide School Travel Survey has shown a steady increase in car use for school journeys of 1% per year until 2002 to a peak of 40%. This figure was reduced to 39% in 2003 and 37% in 2004, which may be an indication that measures that have been implemented during the first Local Transport Plan period are starting to influence travel choices. However, it is clearly too early to know whether this is the start of a positive downward trend.

School Travel Plans

Real progress towards the use of more sustainable travel modes is only likely to be achieved by a combination of implementing Safer Routes to Schools measures in parallel with a programme of education and encouragement, such as walking buses.

As part of the Safer Routes to Schools initiative, schools are encouraged to write a School Travel Plan. This can be defined as “an action plan that sets out a package of measures to improve pupils’ safety on the school journey and to reduce the number of car trips made to school”.

A School Travel Plan is required as part of the submission for planning approval where a new school is being built or substantial changes to an existing school are proposed. In January 2004 the County Council’s Cabinet also approved a requirement that all schools requesting a Safer Routes capital scheme costing £20,000 or more should produce a School Travel Plan.

In September 2003 the Government announced a major initiative to address travel to school, including funding for school travel advisers to help schools to draw up School Travel Plans. Funding is also available for schools with approved School Travel Plans to upgrade facilities that will encourage the use of sustainable travel, such as the provision of cycle storage and lockers. All Warwickshire schools have been encouraged to bid for this funding by producing a School Travel Plan.

Targets

In the 2000 LTP a target was set to “reduce the proportion of school journeys undertaken by car to 33% by 2006 and 24% by 2011”. In light of the annual survey described above, it is clear that this target will not be met; indeed the overall trend in car use (1% per annum) shows that it was unrealistic.

An analysis of local survey data has shown that those schools where Safer Routes to School schemes have been implemented during the past five years an overall reduction of 4% in car usage has been achieved. In contrast, schools where no investment has taken place have seen an increase in car journeys to school by 4%. The countywide target has been amended to reflect these trends. The target is to maintain the proportion of school journeys undertaken by car (sole passenger) at 2005/06 levels (15%); this is considered stretching given that, with no investment, sole passenger car use for journeys to school could be expected to rise to between 20-25% of trips.

The Government has stated that, “all schools should have active travel plans before the end of the decade”. Around 30 schools in Warwickshire have already produced a School Travel Plan, but in order to meet this objective, 40 new School Travel Plans will be required each year.

Capital Grant funding is available for schools that have a Travel Plan approved and this funding will continue until at least 2007/8. Funding is around £5000 for an average sized Primary School and around £10,000 for an average sized Secondary School and encourages schools to consider their sustainable travel arrangements and make improvements. The funding can only be spent on capital works on the school premises and examples of improvements include cycle storage facilities, parent waiting shelters, paths, fencing, CCTV equipment etc.

The Strategy

There is wide variation in travel patterns depending on whether schools are primary or secondary, and if they are located in an urban or rural area. These factors must be considered when developing a set of proposals for an individual school.

Secondary schools

It has been demonstrated that the provision of safe cycle routes to secondary schools and secure storage facilities at schools can be very effective in persuading pupils to cycle to school. We therefore plan to provide these facilities for all secondary schools in the County at a rate of 2–3 schools per annum.

During this LTP period, the County Council will consider the role of Schools Park and Ride/Park and Stride in reducing the direct impact of car-based school traffic. A pilot scheme will be developed to test its impact on changing school travel patterns, possibly within Warwick District.

Primary schools

Expert advice from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is that unaccompanied children under the age of 10 cannot cope with cycling on the road, and therefore cycle routes to primary schools will be considered only in exceptional circumstances. The emphasis will be on improving pedestrian routes in urban areas and encouraging car sharing schemes in rural areas.

All schools will be encouraged to write a School Travel Plan to identify the barriers to walking to school. Warwickshire County Council will deal with all schools that approach the school travel plan adviser for assistance. However, we will endeavour to establish travel plans with schools that have a higher than average percentage of car usage for their area or type. 

Events to encourage sustainable travel on the school journey will also be supported including the two Walk to School weeks in May and October where resources and banners will be provided for participating pupils and schools.

The County Council will consider the role of general walking and cycling improvements in delivering or contributing towards the implementation of the wider Safer Routes to Schools initiative within Warwickshire.