School travel plans deemed a success

MORE than half the schools in Barnsley now have their own travel plan, which is helping cut down the amount of traffic at peak travel times.

In total, 58 schools in the borough now have a travel plan, which has helped reduce the number of children arriving at school by car by 4.5 percent.

School Travel Plans are mainly developed by pupils to explore the best routes to school, alternative modes of transport and what could be done to increase their use. Cycling, walking, car-sharing and bus are just some of the options that have been looked at.

Writing a travel plan allows schools to get a government bursary to help develop their ideas. Over £250,000 has been brought into the borough for such projects, which, alongside funding from the South Yorkshire Local Transport Plan Capital Funding programme, has helped provide cycle training, seen the building of parental waiting and cycle stores areas outside schools, helped start walking bus projects, and much more.

Sue Walker, school travel plan co-ordinator at Barnsley Council, believes that schools are serious about reducing the amount of traffic around their gates.

"The children have been excellent," she said. "They really get involved in developing a plan for their school and, more importantly, encourage their parents to leave the car at home and to look for alternatives.

"What we want to do now is help the schools who haven't got a travel plan to develop one, and this will help reduce the usage of cars even further."

Cllr Bill Newman, Cabinet spokesperson for Development, echoed the sentiments.

"More and more people are starting to recognise the importance of clean air and exercise for their children," he said. "Even more important is the fact that parents have recognised the contribution they can make in improving their children's lifestyle.

"School Travel Plans are helping reduce the reliance on cars for home-to-school journeys. This in turn reduces congestion and pollution around schools, while at the same time encouraging children to pursue active, more healthy modes of transport."

For more information about school travel plans, contact Sue Walker on 01226 772618.

ENDS

Issued by Gary Gerrard, Press Office, Tel: (01226) 773443
Email: garygerrard@barnsley.gov.uk