A school travel plan is a working document that sets out to encourage a move away from car use towards more sustainable modes of travel such as walking, cycling, public transport and car share for the journey to school.

What's Involved

• Research on pupils’ mode of travel
• Obstacles to sustainable travel
• Initiatives to encourage cycling
• Engineering measures
• Initiatives to encourage walking
• Road Safety education and training
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Publicity and promotion

Possible Benefits for Schools

• Reduced congestion near the school gate
• Enhanced reputation. Good relationships with parents and community, and credit from OFSTED
• Improvement of the school environment. Schools with approved Travel Plans are eligible for a government grant to fund developments such as cycle storage, pedestrian shelters, or segregated access.
• Focus for curriculum work
• Links to National Healthy Schools Status and Eco-Schools award

Possible Benefits forPupils

• Improved alertness. Exercise in the morning can help improve concentration throughout the day.
• Improved health and fitness
• Improved life and social skills. Children who walk to school learn to be more independent and confident.

Possible Benefits for the Community

• Cleaner air
• Quieter roads. Currently 20% of cars on the roads at 8.50am are on a school run.
• Safety improvements along school routes.

Schools in the Swindon Borough Council area that have travel plans in place can submit a School Travel Challenge Bid to the Council for extra funding for capital projects that improve the safety or ease of sustainable travel for the school journey. This could include items such as cycle stands or lockers, waiting shelters for parents who have walked to school, new or improved footpaths, or pedestrian crossings.

If you would like help developing a travel plan for your school or would like further information about the Challenge Bid process please contact the School Travel Advisor on 01793 466335