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.
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 Plan Coordinator on 01793 466335
The following websites offer invaluable information in the campaign to encourage children to walk to school:
An alternative form of school transport is the ‘walking bus’. This comprises two volunteers (dependent on numbers) who, acting as ‘driver’ and ‘conductor’, escort a line of children on their journey to and from school. They follow a set route collecting pupils at ‘bus stops’ on the way.
Since it is fuelled by leg power it promotes healthy exercise and by encouraging walking it can also reduce traffic congestion around the school gate.
With parents working a rota system to take children to school, they gain more time for themselves while allowing their children more independence.
The School and parents need to be very committed to the idea if they wish to start up a walking bus. They can do most of the work themselves under the guidance of the Road Safety Team.
For the Walking Bus to be viable there must be a sufficient number of adults to cover each journey to and from school each day for every route established.
Once started, the Bus will operate every designated day during term-time, whatever the weather.
Our suggested ratio is:
We recommend that there are at least two adults with every group in case of emergency situations.
All adults involved will have to cleared by the Criminal Records Bureau. They will receive a guidance pack and a visit from a member of the road safety team to explain the scheme to parents and answer any questions.
Please e-mail Margaret Tester at mtester@swindon.gov.uk.
Accessibility Guideline Notes
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