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The aim of the School Travel Team is to work towards making the environment safer so that children can walk, cycle or use public transport to and from school as opposed to being carried in the car
Although walking to school in Britain is still a major form of transport, levels have steadily declined over the past 30 years. There is increasing concern with the number of cars used on the school run. These journeys account for 20% of peak hour traffic and are often for less than one mile. A survey carried out with Primary School children in Cheshire this year showed that only 37% walk to school, compared with 60% twenty years ago. Whilst the use of the school bus/public transport is still a popular choice for many school children, it is also in decline, with only 16% of Secondary aged pupils travelling on school buses last year. Safer Routes to School is a series of practical steps to improve children's safety on the school journey. The project has benefits for both the school and the wider community. It aims to:
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Improve the environment so that children have the opportunity to walk or cycle safely to and from school
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Improve links to public transport
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Improve school bus transport (quality/availability)
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Increase independence through familiarisation with public transport
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Improve road safety and reduce child casualties
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Improve children's health and development
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Reduce traffic congestion and pollution
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Cut congestion at the school gate
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Improve children's health and fitness through walking and cycling
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Equip children with better road awareness and give them familiarity with public transport
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- Development of the Safer Routes to School programme
- Development of the School Travel Plan programme
- Development of the quality and quantity of the School Transport Network
Work of the School Travel Team:
A School Travel Plan is a document, which outlines the individual school’s strategy on travel to and from school. The content will vary from school to school and may include a single statement or an in-depth study of the school’s transport system. A high quality school travel plan will include a package of measures to improve road user safety and reduce car use.
If you wish to start a School Travel Plan please contact the School Travel Team. You can also view a copy of our School Travel Plan – Simple guide.
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View Travel Plans for Schools in your area:
Chester :: Congleton :: Crewe & Nantwich :: Ellesmere Port :: Macclesfield :: Vale Royal
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When your School Travel Plan is successfully completed you are entitled to a grant to implement some of the changes outlined in your Travel Plan. You can view further information on the School Travel Plan Grants including how the grant is calculated and how it can be spent.
You can view information on how to start a Safer Routes to School scheme and schemes that have been completed and are due to be completed in Cheshire:
Some schools across Cheshire have worked with the School Travel Team to create a leaflet outlining their safe routes to school and travel information.
We encourage pupils to learn about Safer Routes to School and Road Safety by having a wide range of teaching resources for schools to borrow. Members of the School Travel Team also come to schools to give assemblies. For more information see Teaching Resources and Assemblies.
We run a number of initiatives for schools to get involved in to encourage people to use sustainable transport and not their cars. Some examples are:
- Walking Buses
- Walking Reward Scheme (STEPS)
- Park and Stride scheme
- Car Sharing
- Walk Once A Week scheme
Cheshire County Council operate 8 Yellow School Buses. They carry children from the Winsford area to St Nicholas Catholic High School in Northwich and in the Macclesfield district. They are also available to hire for school outings during the daytime.
Each year hands up surveys are carried out across the County to monitor the way in which Cheshire Pupils travel to school. You can view 2005 Primary & 2005 Secondary results and Yearly Primary & Yearly Secondary totals since 2000.
Travelwise - Telephone Jamie Matthews 01244 973996
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