School Travel Plans

Tackling problems associated with the school run is a priority for the Council. By seeking to reduce the number of children travelling by car and encouraging them to walk or cycle to school, or to travel by bus or train, we hope to address problems relating to traffic congestion, pollution and road safety.

Our School Travel Strategy sets out how we will achieve this.  School Travel Plans form a core element of this strategy, together with Road Safety Education (giving children the necessary skills for safe, independent travel), and Safer Routes to School (improving the routes used by children to walk and cycle to school).

A School Travel Plan is a document that identifies the issues relating to travel to and from a particular school, together with an action plan of measures to address them.  Every School Travel Plan is unique, and is tailored to suit the particular circumstances of the school.

The government provides grant funding to support the delivery of School Travel Plans.  Grant funding is available for all local authority schools, including nursery schools, special schools and pupil referral units.  Unfortunately, independent schools and further / higher education establishments are not entitled to this funding.

We have prepared a template to help schools to develop successful School Travel Plans that meet the government's stipulated criteria.  We work closely with schools to guide them through the development process and offer advice on implementation.

Developing a School Travel Plan is also important for schools seeking to secure Healthy Schools status.  The current guidance states that: "a Healthy School encourages pupils, parents/carers and staff to walk or cycle to school under safe conditions, utilising the school travel plan." 

For further information on School Travel Plans, contact the Borough's Transport Policy Team (tel 01628 796097 or e-mail gordon.oliver@rbwm.gov.uk).

For further information on Healthy Schools, contact the Healthy Schools Co-ordinator (tel 01628 796753 or e-mail cyndy.gray@rbwm.gov.uk).

•   School Travel Plan Template (pdf 109KB)