sustainable modes of travel to schools and colleges strategy

Sustainable Modes of Travel To Schools and Colleges Strategy2009-2013

www.luton.gov.uk/sustainabletravel

LUTON BOROUGH COUNCIL

SUSTAINABLE TRAVELS TO

SCHOOLS STRATEGY 2009-2013

October 2009

Mehmood Khan Head of Engineering and Transportation

William Clapp Head of Resources Performance and Commissioning

Draft Luton Sustainable Travel to School Strategy

Contents

1.0 Introduction 1 2.0 School travel in context 2 3.0 Objectives 8 4.0 Assessment of the travel and transport needs 10 5.0 Audit of existing infrastructure 13 6.0 Audit of existing soft measures 15 7.0 Consultation 18 8.0 Promotion of sustainable travel and transport 19 9.0 Action plan 20 10.0 Targets 26 11.0 Monitoring and evaluation 26 12.0 Financial implications 27

Appendices A A profile of children and young people in Luton 28 B Schools in Luton and school travel plans completed 29 C List of consultees 32 D Engineering works carried out 34 E School travel plan procedures 38 F School travel plan quality assurance 41 G Safer routes to school challenge 47


1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 The reduction of dependency on the private car is one of the central objectives of Luton’s Local Transport Plan 2006-2011 with the aim to give the people of Luton the genuine opportunity to choose sustainable travel options. Currently 27% of all school journeys to and from school are by private car.

1.2 The Sustainable Travel to School strategy is being prepared as a requirement of the Education and Inspection Act 2006 and will aim to reduce car use and increase the use of sustainable transport such as buses, cycling and walking.

1.3 Sustainable modes of travel are defined in the Act as those which the authority considers may improve either or both of the following The physical well-being of those who use them The environmental well-being of the whole or part of their area

1.4 The Strategy will also link with a number of other child related issues such as the health agenda in relation to child obesity, and level of attendance and attainment at school which can be directly linked to accessibility of schools.

Profile of Luton

1.5 Luton is a densely populated urban area with a young population (see Appendix A for Profile of children and young people in Luton). According to the 2001 census 23.5% of the population were aged 15 and under compared to 20.2% in the same age group nationally.

1.6 More than 13,000 (25.1%) children live in poverty in Luton which is high compared to the national figure of 20.9% and 7% in the East of England1.

1.7 There are 86 schools in Luton which consist of 6 nursery schools, 54 primary schools (17 infant, 17 junior and 20 primary), 12 secondary, 9 independent, 3 special and 2 pupil referral units (Appendix B). 16 to 18 year olds are provided for in one secondary school, one sixth Form College and a college of Further Education.

1.8 Luton is part of the Milton Keynes and South Midlands (MKSM) sub-region strategy. The number of households in the Luton sub-region is set to rise to 76,000 by 2016 and to 81,000 by 2029. This will create demands on the local educational system and transport infrastructure.

1 source – Summary of Child Poverty in Luton, February 2008, Research and Intelligence LBC

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2.0 SCHOOL TRAVEL IN CONTEXT

National context

2.1 Sustainable school travel has been on the governments’ agenda since 1998 with the introduction of School Travel Plans through the white paper ‘A New Deal for Transport’.

2.2 Transport 2010: The Ten-Year Plan published in 2000 considered travel planning as key to encouraging a switch from the car to more sustainable transport modes. Emphasis was placed on workplace and school travel planning.

2.3 School travel was stepped up a gear by the Travelling to School’s initiative in 2004 which introduced a system to approve School Travel Plans. An incentive to maintained schools was also introduced in the form of a capital grant for schools completing a School Travel Plan (£3750 plus £5 per pupil for nursery and primary schools and £5000 plus £5 per pupil for secondary and special. Voluntary aided schools get 90% of the capital sum which equates to £3375 for nursery and primary schools and £4500 for secondary and special plus £5 per pupil plus VAT) to implement some of the objectives of the plans e.g. providing cycle storage, new footpaths within the grounds and undercover parent waiting areas.

2.4 The white paper: ‘The Future of transport: A Network for 2030 (2004) set out a thirty year strategy to provide and promote alternatives to the car through encouraging travel planning, creating a cycling and walking culture (particularly for children) and investing in public transport.

2.5 In 2006 the Education and Inspection Act imposed a duty on local education authorities to promote sustainable modes of travel to school and to prepare a Sustainable Modes of Travel strategy with a summary included in the annual admissions pack for parents.

2.6 The duty relates to children and young people under the age of 18 or older if they started a course of further education before their 19th birthday and are still participating on that course.

2.7 It includes the following journeys between institutions which can be maintained schools, independent schools, further education colleges and other institutions where education or training might be delivered:

a) To and from institutions at the start and end of the school day (including attendance at pre- and after- school activities).

b) Between institutions during the day.

2.8 Children of compulsory school age are entitled to free transport to their nearest school if they live beyond the statutory walking distance. The statutory walking distance is two miles for children aged under 8 (on 31st August) and three miles for those aged eight or over.

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2.9 The Education Act 2006 also gives a duty to local education authorities to provide free transport for the low income children (children receiving free school meals or whose parents are in receipt of the maximum level of working credit) to attend any three nearest suitable secondary schools if they are between 2 and 6 miles or the nearest maintained secondary school between 2 and 15 miles on the grounds of religion or belief. In addition children aged 8 -11 from low income families will receive free transport if they live more than 2 miles from their nearest suitable school.

2.10 Nationally in 2006, 52% of primary children travelled to school on foot, 41% by car and 5% by bus. The average length of trip was 1.5 miles and just 5% travelled without an adult accompanying them (down from 9% in 1995/97).2

2.11 41% of secondary children travelled to school on foot, 20% by car, 31% by bus and 3% cycled. The average length of trip was 3.4 miles and 43% travelled without an adult accompanying them (up from 41% in 1995/97).2

2.12 18% of car trips by residents in urban areas at 8:45am during school term time are associated with the ‘school run’.2

2.13 The Sustainable Modes of travel to schools and colleges strategy links with a number of other strategy areas including Every Child Matters Sustainable Schools Eco Schools Healthy Schools

Local Context

2.14 Luton Borough Council has been encouraging schools to prepare School Travel Plans since 1999 when the first School Travel Plan was developed by Bushmead Primary School and is committed to promoting sustainable travel.

2.15 A School Travel Plan Strategy 2005 to 2008 was published in 2005 and this Sustainable Travel to Schools Strategy will replace it.

2 Source - National Travel Survey 2006, October 2007, Department for Transport,

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2.16 The 2007 Pupil Level Annual School Census (Plasc) survey showed as follows:-

Mode of Transport Luton 2007

National 2006

Primary Walk 62% 52% Car 33% 41% Bus 2.5% 5% Cycle 0.2% 1% Secondary Walk 67% 41% Car 18% 20% Bus 12% 31% Cycle 1% 3%

2.17 Luton published a Child Safety Audit in 2007. This shows the peak accident periods for children are 08:00 to 09:00, lunchtime and 15:00 to 16:00. This would indicate that it is on their way to and from school. These accidents mainly involve children walking or cycling rather than vehicle occupants.

2.18 The 2007-2011 Local Transport Plan (LTP2) for the Luton, Dunstable and Houghton Regis conurbation accords public transport, walking and cycling the three highest priorities. It is a key policy of the LTP2 to provide alternative travel arrangements to the private motor car with special emphasis on integrated transport solutions to encourage public transport, cycling and walking.

2.19 There are a number of other strategies integral to the LTP2 which also provide a framework for the delivery of the policy of encouraging sustainable transport modes and which will be key to the success of the Sustainable Travel to Schools Strategy. These are

Traffic Management Act 2004 Road Safety Strategy Speed Management Strategy Cycle Strategy Walking Strategy Bus Strategy Rights of Way Improvement Plan Green Space Strategy

2.20 The Sustainable Travel to Schools Strategy links into other initiatives and

areas of work. Other Strategies and programmes include;

Local Area Agreement Sustainable Communities Strategy Every Child Matters

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Sustainable Schools Children and Young People Plan Healthy Schools Project Health Improvement Programme Building Schools for the Future Extended Schools Road Traffic Reduction Plan Air Quality Action Plans Community Safety Crime and Disorder issues Luton Play strategy 14-19 implementation Plan National indicator 186 per capita CO2 emissions Being Safe in Luton: A Strategy for Supporting Young People in

responding to bullying

Links to Every Child Matters and Luton’s Children and Young People Plan

2.21 Luton’s Children and Young People’s Plan sets out our aspirations for children and young people to 2009. It covers the Every Child Matters agenda and links both explicitly and implicitly to children travelling to/ from and between schools and other educational institutions.

2.22 The Sustainable Travel to Schools Strategy will assist in these aspirations in the following ways;

Being Healthy – Promotion of walking and cycling to school as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Staying Safe – Promotion of road safety education for both parents and children to both be safe and feel safe.

Enjoying and Achieving – Promotion of walking and cycling to increase attention in school and encourage more peer/parent social interaction on journeys to and from school.

Make a Positive Contribution – Reduce cars on the road which contributes to less congestion and the carbon footprint of the school.

Economic Well Being – Educate parents and children to be able to plan journeys and make sustainable travel choices in everyday life.

Links to Sustainable Schools and Eco Schools

2.23 Travel and Traffic is one of the eight doorways in the DCSF’s National Framework for Sustainable Schools. By 2020 the government would like ‘all schools to be models of sustainable travel, where vehicles are used only when absolutely necessary and where there are exemplary facilities for healthier, less polluting or less dangerous modes of transport’

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2.24 Eco-schools is a national award which schools can apply for at bronze, silver and green flag levels as they work towards being a Sustainable School. Transport is one of the nine topics.

Links to Local Area Agreement (LAA)

2.25 The Local Area Agreement is a three year agreement between local Strategic Partnerships and central Government. It details how local priorities will be met by delivering local solutions. It contributes to the national priorities set out by central Government.

2.26 Modes of travel to school (NI198) are one of Luton’s LAA’s 35 priority indicators.

2.27 Other national indicators that this strategy will link with are

NI001 - % of people who believe people from different backgrounds get on well together in the local area

NI023 – Perceptions that people in the area treat one another with respect and consideration

NI048 – Children Killed or Seriously Injured in Road traffic Accident NI056 – Obesity among primary school age children in Year 6 NI069 – Children who have experienced bullying NI186 – Per capita reduction in CO2 emissions in the LA area

Current provision for home to school transport

2.28 The following policies cover home to school transport

Home to School Transport policy Post 16-19 Transport Policy

2.29 The Home to School Transport policy gives the entitlements for free home-to-school travel through distance to schools, special needs, faith and low income. There were 763 pupils that are entitled to free home to school transport for 2007/08 school year.

2.30 The Post 16-19 Transport policy sets out entitlement to saver cards and other support for travel to and from schools and colleges within the Luton/Dunstable conurbation. Assistance with transport to Colleges outside this area may be given if the course is not offered locally.

Campus Luton

2.31 Campus Luton is a Partnership encompassing all Schools and Colleges in Luton and other Partners. Campus Luton has three main objectives. To Increase Participation, Widen Opportunity and Raise Attainment. Campus Luton provides collaborative learning opportunities for 14-16 year old students, offering access to qualifications and subjects that are not available at their home school.

Building schools for the Future and Primary Expansion

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http://www.luton.gov.uk/media%20library/pdf/lifelong%20learning/lea%20documents%20and%20publications/final%20post%2016%20transport%20policy.pdf


2.32 The Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is a national programme to transform outcomes for young people by rebuilding or renewing every secondary school in the Country over a 10 to 15 year period. Luton is in the 3rd and 6th Wave of a 15 wave programme.

2.33 At the same time the number of secondary school places will be expanded to meet the expected requirement of over 15,000 places by 2018. Every opportunity will be used to increase the number of children travelling by sustainable modes by introducing walking and cycle facilities

2.34 The Council also needs to undertake a primary school expansion programme and create an additional 19 forms of entry in the period 2009-2013. This equates to 3990 additional primary school places across all seven year groups In creating primary school places the Council is mindful of the need to provide school places within two miles (walking distance) of central areas of Luton (the area most affected by the shortage of school places). Building new schools directly in the area of pressure will enable more pupils to walk to school, aiding the reduction in traffic congestion.

Extended schools

2.35 Central government has a long term vision of schools being at the heart of the community, offering a range of activities and services beyond the school day to help meet the needs of children, their families and the wider community.

2.36 It is expected that all schools will be open from 8am to 6pm all year round, in accordance with demand and need, offering a range of activities for young people and adults from the local area.

14-19 agenda

2.37 Partnership and Collaborative working between schools and colleges is a strong factor in the 14-19 Agenda. The cost of transport relating to these activities was met by Campus Luton until the end of academic year 07/08.

2.38 Students learning on multiple sites, or travelling during the school day to learn will be more common, and indeed necessary to ensure all students have equal access to the opportunities on offer in their partnership area. Implications for the future include: Increased number of young people travelling between sites and to venues other than their home school, funding, ensuring equality of opportunity and logistical arrangements.

Healthy Schools

2.39 Healthy Schools promote the link between good health, behaviour and achievement. Travelling to school is an important part of this.

2.40 In order to meet the criteria to be awarded National Healthy Schools Status - a school is required to encourage children/young people,

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parents/carers and staff to walk or cycle to school under safe conditions, utilising the school travel plan as part of theme 3 – Physical Activity.

2.41 The minimum evidence that is required to satisfy the criteria is:

The school is engaged with representatives from the Safe Routes to School Programme and School Travel Plan Scheme

The school has an up to date travel plan in place or is working towards one

Parents/carers have received information regarding the school travel plan via newsletter/articles

The school has used STP surveys to develop the broader physical activity agenda

Throughout the year there is planned promotion of walking and cycling to school

Pedestrian and cycle skills training are available for children/young people and staff

3.0 OBJECTIVES

3.1 The overall objective of the Sustainable Travel to Schools Strategy is to encourage and promote sustainable travel to schools and set out an action plan and monitoring regime.

3.2 School travel cuts across a wide range of national and local policies and objectives. The Council is determined to ensure that school travel is viewed in this wider context to ensure we maximise the potential benefits of this Sustainable Travel to School Strategy. The transport and traffic targets in ‘Luton 2011’ include reducing traffic congestion, making Luton a safe place to walk and cycle and increasing the use of public transport, walking and cycling.

3.3 There are several key themes and objectives that the Council will concentrate on delivering as part of this Strategy and these are outlined below.

Objective Key theme

Ensure everyone is safe on their journey to, from and between educational establishments.

Safety

Ensure children are equipped with the skills for life.

Education

Improve children’s health by encouraging exercise as part of the journey to and from school.

Health

Reduce car travel where there is a viable sustainable transport option.

Transport

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Seek additional funding to benefit sustainable travel.

Funding

Safety

3.4 One of the most, if not the most, important objective is to keep the children safe on their journey to, from and between schools. We need to address the perceived risk of accidents and safety including stranger danger if we are to encourage more children to walk and cycle to school or to use public transport. Community Safety and Road Safety teams will play a key part in this along with engineering works.

Objective: to reduce both the actual and perceived safety issues on the journey to, from and between schools

Education

3.5 Road safety and the journey to school can be successfully incorporated into the school curriculum in a number of subjects. In addition, the actual journey to school can also provide important road safety and life skills e.g. with parents walking young children to school and teaching them basic road safety skills.

Objective: to ensure children are equipped with the skills for life

Health

3.6 The declining health and increasing obesity of the nation, including younger people has been well documented. Increased exercise through walking and cycling to school can help address some of these problems. Pollution is another cause of poor health with a growing number of children now suffering from asthma. Increasing the number of children walking and cycling to school or using public transport should reduce the levels of traffic and congestion on our roads and thereby reduce pollution.

Objective: to improve children’s health by encouraging exercise as part of the journey to and from school

Transport

3.7 The Council accepts that for some journeys the car is the most appropriate form of transport. However, many journeys to school presently made by car could be made by public transport, by walking, cycling or car sharing. In addition to the benefits mentioned above, in some cases this could even save time and money for parents.

Objective: to reduce car travel where there is a viable sustainable transport option

Funding

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3.8 The Council and schools will seek additional external funding in order to implement this strategy and to obtain the associated benefits. Government grants and Section 106 agreements from planning applications could be potential sources of funding.

Objective: to seek additional funding to the benefit of sustainable travel

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4.0 ASSESSMENT OF THE TRAVEL AND TRANSPORT NEEDS

4.1 The assessment of the travel and transport needs has been based on the data provided by the School Travel Plan process. The full document can be found at Sustainable Travel - Luton BC

School Travel Plan Development

4.2 The table below shows the progress by March 2008 that has been made since the first School travel Plan was introduced in 1999.

First Travel Plan Produced Nursery Primary High Indep. Special Pupil

Referral

Number Approved

No of schools

6 54 12 9 3 2 86

1999 2 2000 1 2001 4 1 2002 8 1 1 2003 2 7 2 2004 3 1 14 2005 5 7 2006 1 6 8 2007 1 1 6 2008 2 8 3 1 19 Total 5

(83%) 44

(81%) 9

(75%)1

(11%) 2

(66%) 0 54

(63%)

4.3 54 schools have received the one off capital grant in the form of Devolved Formula Capital from Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). The main works that the schools have used their grant on are improving pedestrian access, new lighting, lockers and storage and cycle parking.

4.4 We currently employ one School Travel Advisor whose role is to encourage and support schools developing School Travel Plans to meet the Government criteria. The procedures to produce a School Travel Plan are set out in Appendix F with the Quality Assurance Assessment at Appendix G. This post is funded by the DCSF until the end of March 2011.

4.5 Schools should develop their School Travel Plans in partnership with their stakeholders (parents, pupils, local community). The majority of the schools consult their key stakeholders (parents and pupils) but the links with the local community need to be strengthened

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4.6 The School Travel Advisor currently carries out some monitoring. However, this role needs to be expanded into assisting schools in the implementation of action plans contained in their STP and monitoring and revision of the STP’s. All STP’s will need to be revised and updated every three years. It can therefore be seen that the role of the School Travel Advisor needs to continue after 2011.

4.7 To complete the travel planning for educational establishments, the Further Education colleges and Bedfordshire University should complete plans. Luton Sixth Form has completed a travel plan, Barnfield Colleges and the University are preparing travel plans.

Current Travel Patterns

4.8 School travel data has been collected since 2000. Until 2007 this was by “hands up” surveys in classrooms. In 2007 this was replaced by information from the national Pupil Level Annual School Census (PLASC). It is compulsory for all schools with a STP to provide school travel choice information.

4.9 In 2007 62 (80.5%) of maintained schools provided data. The chart below shows the mode of travel by school type (PLASC 2007).

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000Nu

mb

er o

f pu

pils

Walk Cycle bus Car train CarShare

Other

Mode of transport

Mode of travel by school type (PLASC: 2007)

special

secondary

primary

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4.10 The table below shows the mode of travel by school type in Luton from the PLASC 2007 survey and compares this with national figure for all schools.

Mode Primary Secondary Special All schools National for all schools

Walk 67% 67% 0.8% 64% 50% Cycle 0.2% 0.8% 0% 0.43% 1.9% Car 30% 18% 6% 26.5% 29% Car share

1.7% 0% 0% 1.4% 2.5%

Bus 0.9% 12% 92.4% 7% 15.5% Train 0% 0% 0% 0.01% 0.4% Others 0.1% 0.5% 0.8% 0.3% 1%

4.11 An assessment of the travel and transport needs of young people has been undertaken. This shows that although 73% of children travel by sustainable means to schools in Luton already there is still room for improvement.

4.12 The School Travel Plan travel survey asks pupils why they travel to school by car and these are shown in the table below.

Reasons for using car % Too far 14.0%Stranger danger 13.2%Too much traffic 13.1%My parents won’t let me walk/cycle 11.5%Scared of an accident 9.3%Too much to carry 8.7%The traffic is too fast 7.7%I may be bullied 5.3%Not enough crossing places 5.0%Other 3.9%Unclean pavements 3.2%No storage available at school 2.6%Narrow pavements 2.5%Disabilities 0.0%

4.13 This shows that there are a variety of reasons headed up by schools being too far away, stranger danger and traffic problems.

4.14 The assessment of primary pupils preferred travel mode shows that there is a great potential for increasing cycling to schools and cycle training in schools should help. Anecdotal evidence shows that a culture change by parents and teachers is required as it is often the parent or the teachers that do not allow the children to cycle to school.

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4.15 The assessment of secondary pupils preferred travel mode shows that again there is a desire to cycle to school (11%). However, there is also a desire to go to school in the car (31%) and this must be countered to ensure that sustainable means are used.

4.16 An analysis of the reasons why the car is the choice of 27% of the school population shows that the amount and speed of traffic, stranger danger, distance and parent preventing children walking or cycling are the most likely reasons.

5.0 AUDIT OF THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE

5.1 An audit of the existing infrastructure has been undertaken and is published as Sustainable Travel - Luton BC and is summarised below.

Accidents

5.2 51 children were injured (1 fatally, 6 seriously and 44 slightly) on their way to or from school in the three years (1-1-05 to 31-12-07). This is an average of 17.3 a year, compared to the 1994 to 1998 average of 22 a year representing a reduction of 21%.

5.3 The table below shows the number of child casualties on the journey to and from school.

Child Casualties on journey to or from school

Within 375m of a school Not within 375m of a school Year

Pedestrians and cyclists

Vehicle occupants

Pedestrians and cyclists

Vehicle occupants

2005-2007 average

9.3 1.3 6.3 0

2001-2005 average

7.4 1.6 5 1.2

1994-1998 average

14.8 1.2 5.2 1

% change between 2005-2007 average and 1994-1998 average

37% decrease

8% increase 21% decrease 100% decrease

Engineering

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5.4 Luton has a comprehensive programme of engineering works which has and will continue to improve safety and encourage more cycling and walking.

5.5 Reducing traffic speeds and reducing accidents particularly child pedestrian accidents is crucial if parents are going to change their mode of transport for taking children to school. Our ‘Walking Strategy’, ‘Cycle Strategy’, ‘Road Safety Strategy’ and ‘Speed Management Plan’ outline some of our main initiatives to increase walking and reduce traffic speeds and accidents. An example of the work carried out recently is the increase in 20mph zones; there are now 80 miles of road subject to a 20mph limit compared to 1 mile 5 years ago. Some of the initiatives that have been taken are discussed below

Safety around Schools

5.6 Luton has been one of the more active and progressive Councils in introducing measures to improve safety around schools and on the journey to and from school. In 1997 the Council introduced its Safety Around Schools initiative to improve the safety of children on the journey to and from school. The aim of the initiative was to encourage more journeys to be undertaken on foot rather than in the car. The project incorporated education, engineering and enforcement measures.

5.7 The majority of the schools have had some measures carried out as shown at Appendix D. These measures include 20mph zones, part time 20mph speed limits, pedestrian and cycle facilities and waiting restrictions.

5.8 All School Keep Clear markings and waiting restrictions around schools in Luton are enforceable through the Council’s own Civil Enforcement Officers.

Area Studies Programme

5.9 Luton has been divided into 25 areas, separated by natural boundaries such as main roads and railways and an assessment process has been carried out for each taking into account road safety and other issues such as traffic intrusion, rat-running, parking problems, social deprivation and community facilities.

5.10 The programme commenced in 2004 and currently 14 areas have been completed or are in the process of being completed. Measures include 20mph zones, traffic calming, cycle routes and pedestrian facilities and environmental improvements.

Pedestrian Facilities

5.11 There is a programme of improving pedestrian facilities and currently 86% of our traffic signal junctions have pedestrian facilities. There are 45 zebra crossings, 28 pelican/puffin crossing and 4 toucan crossings of which are all Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant.

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http://www.luton.gov.uk/internet/Transport_and_streets/Motor_vehicles_roads_and_parking/Road_safety/Road%20Safety%20-%20Road%20Safety%20Strategies


5.12 Pedestrian refuges are provided where a formal pedestrian crossing cannot be justified.

5.13 There is also a programme to introduce new dropped kerbs and tactile paving. Approximately £20,000 is spent each year on requests for dropped kerbs. Dropped kerbs are also installed within other schemes where appropriate.

Cycling

5.14 Much has been done in the last few years in Luton in order to implement new cycle schemes and generally encourage more cycling. Investment in new cycle routes, crossing facilities and parking is at an all time high. We now have 50 miles of cycle route in Luton as shown on the cycle map. 13 schools have cycle storage on site. The majority have been match-funded by the Council.

Public Transport

5.15 There is a programme of engineering works to improve the bus network including bus lanes, improved bus stops and shelters and lighting. The Council are promoting the £80 million Luton Dunstable Bus-way which is expected to open in 2011/12. This project should result in a step change in bus patronage.

6.0 AUDIT OF THE EXISTING SOFT MEASURES

School Crossing Patrols

6.1 To encourage children and parents to walk to school Luton maintains 45 school crossing patrol sites covered by 52 patrols and 1 standby patrol. New sites are assessed following the criteria set out in the School Crossing Patrol strategy. Routes to school for children up to the age of 11 are covered although the operational hours of sites are extended to cover children from adjacent high schools. The School Crossing Patrol can also assist adults to cross.

Congestion outside Schools

6.2 Congestion and inconsiderate parking is a problem throughout the Borough and indeed throughout the country. A multi-agency working group consisting of officers from Road Safety, Parking, the Health and Safety Advisor for schools and Bedfordshire Police Community Support Officers has been working together since 2006. The group organises action days where officers go to five schools and educate parents on responsible parking and carry out enforcement where necessary. This now includes taking photographic evidence with a view to prosecution.

6.3 Other initiatives have also been used such as

Using a Fire Engine outside congested schools to show the impact on the emergency services.

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http://www.luton.gov.uk/Media%20Library/Pdf/Environment%20&%20regeneration/Engineering%20&%20Transportation%20/Cycling/CycleMap.pdf


Posters erected outside schools with some poster competitions to involve the pupils.

A pupil traffic warden scheme was piloted by Leagrave Primary School in 2008.

Walking

6.4 ‘Stepping out safely’ pedestrian training is now in its second year for children aged 4 to 8. Children receive classroom theory and age related practical road-side training from the time they enter reception year up until year 4. The scheme is a partnership between the Road Safety Officers, Schools and Parents. All literature and equipment is supplied free of charge by the Council. Schools provide staff, usually Teaching Assistants as pedestrian trainers for the children. The Teaching Assistants are trained and monitored by Road Safety Officers. 21 schools are now taking part in the scheme.

6.5 The Road Safety Team supports Walk to School Week by encouraging schools to take part and where funding is available providing resources such as certificates, diaries and leaflets and holding competitions. By encouraging schools to participate in Walk to School week it is hoped to show children and their parents how easy, safe and fun it is to walk to school and encourage them to walk at other times of the year. Walking to school just one day a week can make a great effect on reducing congestion outside schools.

6.6 Schools are encouraged to set up walking buses. Currently there are three walking buses operating. More schools are investigating the possibility of introducing these.

6.7 Schools are also encouraged to set up park and stride schemes where parents park in a car park nearby and then walk their children the rest of the way to school. Currently there are 4 operating.

Cycling

6.8 To demonstrate its commitment to cycling the Council has its own ‘Cycle Champion’ in Councillor Lynda Ireland. The second ‘Cycle Strategy’ was published in 2006.

6.9 Bikeability cycle training is offered in schools from Year 2. The course consists of five two-hour lessons normally run over five weeks with a ratio of one trainer to six students. Cycling maintenance courses are run to encourage people to maintain their cycles in a safe, roadworthy condition. Dr. Bike days are run in schools to raise awareness and improve the roadworthiness of children’s cycles and promote cycling.

6.10 Luton Borough Council in conjunction with Hertfordshire County Council, Bedfordshire County Council and Sustrans are currently funding a Bike It officer to work out of the Sustrans offices in Luton. He has been working in twelve schools, four in each of the other local authorities. The aim is to

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increase cycling levels among pupils especially to and from school. The four schools in Luton are Icknield High School, Leagrave Primary, Stopsley Primary and Pirton Hill Junior.

6.11 Activities have included decorate your bike days, Bikers Breakfasts, cycling notice boards, talks at school assemblies; National Curriculum based cycling lessons in the classroom (route planning, bike mechanics and design, healthy lifestyles etc).

Road Safety Education

6.12 It is essential that every child has road safety education so that they are equipped for life and are safe on our roads. It is the responsibility of the parents/guardian to ensure their children’s safety and the Road Safety Team are here to help them do this.

6.13 The Road Safety Team offer a wide range of education for children including the Children’s Traffic Club, Road Safety Nursery Boxes, Snakes and Ladders Community Safety Game plus presentations and workshops to equip them for life to ensure that they know how to keep safe using the roads.

Public Transport

6.14 Public transport is the third main mode of transport that can be promoted and helps to reduce the number of children travelling to school by car.

6.15 The Council has published a Bus Strategy that sets out the ways in which bus provision and patronage will be increased. Public transport has also been given the highest priority of all modes of transport in the Local Transport Plan.

6.16 The Council has a Quality Bus Partnership Agreement with Arriva to work together to improve bus services in Luton. It affirms both parties’ commitment to promote the use of public transport and to develop public transport policies. The Council and bus operators are looking at the development of Punctuality Improvement Plans.

6.17 Luton is a member of a real-time passenger information (RTPI) system consortium and is to introducing passenger information at bus stops (and ultimately other locations and by other media) along key routes.

6.18 Most operators in the Luton area set child fares at, or close to, half of adult fares although Arriva currently charge three-quarter fare during school terms.

6.19 The Council currently provides free public transport for –

pupils who live beyond the ‘statutory walking distances’ (two miles for under eight years old and three miles for over eight years old) from their catchment or nearest school with places to ensure pupils are able to attend school.

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http://www.luton.gov.uk/internet/Council_government_and_democracy/Councils/Council%20Departments/Environment%20&%20Regeneration/Engineering%20&%20Transport/Transportation%20strategy/Planning%20policies%20-%20transport%20policy_2


pupils eligible for free school meals or who receive Maximum Level Working Tax Credits, providing they meet additional distance and school eligibility criteria as set out in the Home to School Transport Policy.

pupils attending the nearest maintained denominational school provided the relevant religious and distance criteria are met.

The free transport is usually in the form of a bus pass, but for younger children a yellow school bus and minibuses are used. A total of 733 children are provided with free transport in Luton.

6.20 The Council also provides free transport for pupils as specified in the statement of special educational needs (SEN). Over 500 pupils with SEN statement are transported to school daily using standard minibuses, mobility buses and taxis.

6.21 The Council has formed a partnership with Further Education institutions in Luton (and with Connexions, Dunstable College, Bedford College and the Learning and Skills Council). Any Luton student attending a college in Luton or Dunstable may buy a saver card, currently priced at £10, from Luton Borough Council. This entitles them to discounts on Arriva’s and Centrebus’ weekly tickets which in turn allow unlimited travel within the Luton-Dunstable-Houghton Regis conurbation and are valid throughout the day and at weekends. Education Maintenance Allowances assist students from lower income families with living expenses, including the cost of transport.

6.22 During the academic year 2007/08 1003 students attending Luton and Dunstable Colleges were issued with savercards.

7.0 CONSULTATION

7.1 The development of the Sustainable Travel to Schools Strategy has been carried out with extensive consultation with stakeholders and residents of Luton. The report on the consultation and is published at XXXX and a summary given below.

7.2 A meeting was held to discuss the strategy with LBC officers and major stakeholders. Other stakeholders were invited to comment by letter.

7.3 A public consultation was held which was publicised by an event at the beginning of November 2008. Young people were consulted through a workshop with representative from the LYTE committee (Luton Youth Together for Everyone).

7.4 Despite extensive publicity there was a disappointing response rate to the public consultation although the problem of congestion around schools caused by the school run is the subject of many complaints to the Council and Police.

19


7.5 Both adults and young people feel that it is an important subject and encouraging more use of sustainable transport to schools and colleges is worthwhile however, there is concern about the safety of children and young people when they use these methods.

7.6 The Action Plan for the Sustainable Travel to Schools Strategy should address both encouraging the use of sustainable modes and the perceived/actual safety issues surrounding the use of these by using the 4 E’s of education, enforcement, encouragement and engineering.

7.7 Previous travel surveys from School Travel Plans have been used to inform the assessment of the travel and transport needs of children and young people.

8.0 PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL AND TRANSPORT

8.1 The promotion of sustainable travel and transport cuts across many departments in the Council. By working together on this common goal it is hoped that we will be able to bring about a step change in the culture of Luton from one of car domination to a more sustainable one. Without a significant change in attitude to transport it is unlikely that our targets for travel to school by sustainable means will be met.

8.2 The School Travel Plan is crucial to the success of promoting sustainable transport for journeys to school. However, for this to be successful the document needs to be active. The Council will continue to work with schools to develop and monitor their plans plus assisting them to make the School Travel Plan an active document.

8.3 Key areas for development are

Green Travel Plan – not only for schools but for businesses and individuals to bring about a step change in the culture of travel in Luton.

Independent Travel Training

Development of a sustainable travel website including journey planning

Car share

Safer Schools to School Challenge as described in Appendix F Council Travel Plan

Safer routes to play

Traffic Management and Congestion strategy

20


9.0 ACTION PLAN

Area Action 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 Responsibility

All maintained and independent schools and Post-16 establishments to have a high quality adopted travel plan by April 2010

Schools

STP Advisor

Schools in conjunction with the STP Advisor to ensure the local community are engaged in the School Travel Plan process

Schools

STP Advisor

All schools to review the progress of the STP annually and inform the STP Advisor of the results

Schools

STP Advisor

All schools to update their STP every three years with the assistance of the STP Advisor

Schools

STP Advisor

Sch

oo

l Tra

vel P

lan

s

Consider the transport impacts of all new school developments, and mitigate any adverse outcomes

Development Control

Building Schools for the Future

21



Continue with Safety around Schools programme

Road safety

Engineering

Implement Safer Routes to School Challenge

Road Safety

Engineering

Continue School Congestion Working group including carrying out monthly Action Days

Road Safety

Police

Children and Learning

Review of School Keep Clear markings and implementation of any changes necessary

Road Safety

Engineering

Saf

er r

ou

tes

to S

cho

ols

/ S

afet

y ar

ou

nd

Sch

oo

ls

School Keep Clear and waiting restrictions around schools to be enforced as necessary

Parking Services

Civil Enforcement team

Continue to deliver the school crossing patrol service and introduce new sites where appropriate

School Crossing patrol team

All infants and junior schools to participate in ‘Stepping out Safety’ pedestrian training

Road Safety

Schools

Wal

kin

g

Encourage and assist schools to operate Walking

Road Safety

School Travel

22



Buses and Walking Buddy schemes

Plan Advisor

Continue to promote the national Walk to School week events in May and October each year

Schools

Road Safety

School Travel Plan Advisor

Identify potential sites and encourage use of park and stride


Continue improving walking routes through Integrated Transport Programme

Engineering

All year 6 pupils to have opportunity to participate in Bikeability

Cycling team

Schools

Encourage schools to have level 1 (off road) Bikeability

Cycling team

Encourage high schools to have level 3 Bikeability

Cycling team

Subsidise cycle parking at schools with School Travel Plans and cycle training

Engineering

Cyc

ling

Continue improving cycle routes through

23



Integrated Transport programme

Engineering

Continue to support Bike It officer in schools

Cycle team

Continue development and expansion of bus RTPI system

Engineering

Continue to develop Punctuality Improvement plans

Engineering

Bus operators

Bu

s T

rave

l

Continue improving bus stops and bus lanes through Integrated Transport programme

Engineering

Continue to reduce levels of child road traffic casualties

Engineering

Road Safety

Ro

ad S

afet

y

Continue to carry out the Education, Publicity, Training and Engineering programmes to reduce the perception of road safety issues when walking and cycling

Engineering

Road Safety

24



Su

stai

nab

le

Sch

oo

ls

Continue to develop the Sustainable Schools forum

Environment and Regeneration

Ensure sustainable school travel is considered in all building schools for future and primary expansion work


Bu

ildin

g S

cho

ols

fo

r F

utu

re a

nd

Pri

mar

y E

xpan

sio

n

Continue with the primary school expansion and building schools for the future programme to with the aim of ensuring that all pupils are able to to walk to school


Carry out Annual School Census including encouraging schools without School Travel Plans to complete Census



Carry out annual monitoring of Independent Schools


Analyse school travel


Info

rmat

ion

& D

ata

Provide schools with borough and individual school travel data on an


25



annual basis

Develop Sustainable Travel website to include school travel plans, travel advise, travel planning


Cycling team

Passenger Transport

Par

tner

ship

W

ork

ing

Continue to strengthen partnerships whose work contributes towards the aims of this strategy

All

26


10.0 TARGETS

10.1 To monitor the effectiveness of this Strategy the following targets have been set.

Target Baseline Actual (2008 Plasc

Survey)

Target 2010/11

Primary school children travelling to school by

Walking

Cycling

Public transport

Private car

2006/07

62.3%

0.13%

2.6%

33.4%

2007/08

65.7%

0.3%

1.9%

30.5%

66.3%

0.45%

2.1%

29.4%

Secondary school children travelling to school by

Walk

Cycling

Public transport

Private car

2006/07

67%

0.8%

12.2%

18%

2007/08

63.2%

0.9%

14.7%

19%

64.6%

1.3%

15%

17.2%

Number of schools with travel plans

2000/01

2

2007/08

55

2010

86

Halve the number of children killed or seriously injured

1994/98 av

21

2006/08 av

8

2010

50% reduction

11.0 MONITORING AND EVALUATION

11.1 There is a clear need to monitor the effectiveness of the Sustainable Travel to Schools strategy and other associated strategies. The targets in 9.0 will be monitored on an annual basis.

11.2 The Safer Routes to School Challenge will be reviewed on an annual basis and reported to the Executive as part of the Integrated Transport Report.

27


28

11.3 School Travel Plans will be monitored on an annual basis, schools will be asked to prepare an annual review report to be published on their website and the Council’s new Sustainable Travel website. School Travel Plans will be reviewed and updated every three years.

12.0 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

12.1 Significant resources have been and will continue to be put into school travel. The key elements of this funding (2006/07 figures used as an example) have been summarised below:

School Travel Plan Advisor (grant) £ 21,000 DfT School Capital Grant £ 48,521 School crossing patrols £ 220,000 LTP Safety around schools £ 42,000 LTP Area Traffic Calming £ 537,000 Pedestrian facilities £ 128,000 Public transport/Bus Priority £ 300,000 Cycle Facilities £ 44,000 Cycle Training £ 73,000 Road Safety education and training £ 100,000 School Transport £1,769,632 SEN under 16 £1,382,619 SEN post 16 £ 129,832 Primary mainstream £ 36,600 Secondary mainstream £ 161,371 (including 6th form Cardinal Newman)

Post 16 £ 59,210

12.2 The Council will also seek to secure additional external funding such as government grants and competitions and developer contributions (S106) through the planning process.


APPENDIX A

A PROFILE OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN LUTON

Households with children as a % of all households

31.87 (National average is 26.72)

Number of pupils in LEA schools

30317 LUTON POPULATION 2006 Age gro ulation up Pop0-4 14,500 5-9 12,100 10-14 12,300 15-19

Number with a statement of special educational needs

899

Percentage of children that live in families that are income deprived

25.1%

13,500

st. poe p hange 06-11 ulation c under 5s: +15.4% 5-11: +5.2% 16-19: -5.3%

Authority ranking in list of Index of Multiple Deprivation

87th

Number on the disability register

449

Percentage of Household with a car

73.6 %

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Appendix B

Schools in Luton

School Type Latest School Travel Plan completed

Ashcroft High School Secondary 2004 Avenue Centre for Education Pupil referral Barnfield South Academy Secondary 2008 Barnfield West Academy Secondary Beech Hill Primary School Primary 2005 Beechwood Primary School Primary Bramingham Primary School Primary 2007 Bury Park Educational Institute

Independent

Bushmead Primary School Primary 2008 Cardinal Newman High School

Secondary 2002

Challney Boys High School Secondary 2008 Challney Girls High School Secondary 2009 Chantry Primary School Primary 2009 Chapel Street Nursery School Nursery 2008 Cheynes Infant School Primary 2006 Crawley Green Infant School Primary 2004 Dallow Primary School Primary 2008 Denbigh High School Secondary 2008 Denbigh Infant School Primary 2008 Denbigh Junior School Primary Downside Infant School Primary 2004 Downside Junior School Primary 2005 Farley Junior School Primary Ferrars Infant School Primary 2004 Ferrars Junior School Primary 2004 Foxdell Infant School Primary 2007 Foxdell Junior School Primary 2005 Gill Blowers Nursery Nursery 2007 Grasmere Nursery School Nursery 2008 Hart Hill Nursery School Nursery 2009 Hillborough Infant School Primary 2006 Hillborough Junior School Primary 2006 Icknield High School Secondary 2004 Icknield Primary School Primary 2008 Jamiatul Uloom Al-Islamia Independent Lady Zia Wernher School Special 2001

30



Lea Manor High School Secondary 2004 Leagrave Primary School Primary 2006 Lealands High School Secondary 2009 Luton on Track Education Centre

Independent

Maidenhall Primary School Primary Mehria School Independent Moorlands School Independent 2004 Norton Road Primary School Primary 2008 Oakwood Primary School Independent Olive Tree Primary School Independent Pastures Way Nursery School Nursery 2008 Pirton Hill Infant School Primary 2002 Pirton Hill Junior School Primary 2002 Putteridge High School Secondary 2007 Putteridge Infant School Primary 2008 Putteridge Junior School Primary 2008 Rabia Girls' & Boys' School Independent Ramridge Primary School Primary 2004 Rathbone School Independent Richmond Hill School Special 2009 Rothesay Nursery School Nursery 2006 Sacred Heart Primary School Primary 2006 Someries Infant School Primary 2004 Someries Junior School Primary 2009 Southfield Infant School Primary 2004 Southfield Junior School Primary 2005 St Josephs Infant School Primary 2007 St Josephs Junior School Primary 2005 St Margaret of Scotland Infant School

Primary 2007

St Margaret of Scotland Junior School

Primary 2007

St Martin de Porres Primary School

Primary 2007

St Matthews Primary School Primary Stopsley High School Secondary 2008 Stopsley Primary School Primary 2004 Sundon Park Junior School Primary 2008 Surrey Street Primary School Primary Tennyson Road Primary School

Primary 2005

The Meads Primary School Primary The Orchard Centre Pupil Referral Warden Hill Infant School Primary 2004 Warden Hill Junior School Primary 2008

31



Waulud Primary School Primary Wenlock Junior School Primary 2009 Whipperley Infant School Primary 2004 Whitefield Infant School Primary 2008 Whitefield Junior School Primary Wigmore Primary School Primary 2008 William Austin Infant School Primary 2004 William Austin Junior School Primary 2005 Woodlands Secondary School Special 2008

32


APPENDIX C LIST OF CONSULTEE

Luton Borough Council Officers

Title Directorate 14-19 Director Children and Learning Admissions and Planning Officer Children and Learning Behaviour and Tuition Manager Children and Learning Campus Luton Project Manager Children and Learning Disability Policy and Access Officer Chief Executive Engineering Services Manager Environment and Regeneration Environmental Assessment Manager Environment and Regeneration Climate Change Officer Environment and Regeneration Extended Schools Strategy Manager Children and Learning Head of Engineering and Transportation


Head of School Improvement Children and Learning Health and Safety Advisor Children and Learning Healthy Schools Co-ordinator Children and Learning Inclusion and Cohesion Manager Chief Executive Parking Operations Manager Environment and Regeneration Passenger Transport Unit Manager Environment and Regeneration Performance and Support Services Manager


Project officer (Community Development)

Leisure and Community

Safer Cycling Promotions Officer Environment and Regeneration School Travel Plan Advisor Environment and Regeneration Sure Start and extended School Manager


Traffic Engineering Manager Environment and Regeneration Transportation Strategy Manager Environment and Regeneration Public Transport Manager Environment and Regeneration Children’s Play Strategy Manager Children and Learning Councillor Worlding Environment Portfolio holder Councillor Khan Children Services Portfolio holder Councillor Roden Children’s Social Care Portfolio

holder All schools

Main Stakeholders

Bedfordshire Police Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue East of England Ambulance Service Arriva Centrebus

33


Grant Palmer

34


APPENDIX D

ENGINEERING WORKS CARRIED OUT ON ROUTE TO AND NEAR SCHOOLS

School Road Engineering Measures

carried out

Ashcroft High Crawley Green Road

20mph zone with zebra crossing

Avenue Centre for Education

Tomlinson Avenue

20mph zone

Enterprise Road Barnfield Avenue

Barnfield College Rotherham Avenue

Barnfield South Academy (formerly South Luton)

Cutenhoe Road 20mph zone

Emerald Road 20mph zone Barnfield West Academy (formerly Halyhard)

Leagrave High Street

Part time 20mph limit, puffin crossing

Dunstable Road Part time 20mph speed limit, puffin crossing and zebra crossing

Beech Hill Primary

Hampton Road 20mph zone Linden Road 20mph zone

Beechwood Primary Beechwood

Road 20mph zone

Bramingham Primary Freeman Avenue

No entry except for access to off-street premises

Bury Park Educational Institute (Al-Hikmah Secondary)

Dunstable Road 20mph zone

Bushmead Road cul-de-sac

20mph zone, school keep clear

Bushmead Road

Bushmead Primary

Old Bedford Road

Cardinal Newman Warden Hill Road

Challney Boys Stoneygate Road

20mph zone

Challney Girls Stoneygate Road

20mph zone

Chantry Primary Tomlinson Avenue

20mph zone

Chapel Street Nursery Russell Street 20mph zone

35



carried out Cheynes Infant Cranbrook Drive Crawley Green Infants Beaconsfield 20mph zone

Dallow Primary Dallow Road 20mph zone

Alexandra Avenue

20mph zone Denbigh High

Argyll Avenue 20mph zone

Denbigh Infant Cavendish Road

20mph zone

Denbigh Junior Denbigh Road 20mph zone Downside Infant & Junior

Chaul End Lane Puffin crossing

Farley Junior North Drift Way School safety zone Macaulay Road 20mph zone

Ferrars Infants The Cloisters

Lewsey Road Build out for SCP Ferrars Junior Leagrave High

Street Cycle lane and speed restraint measures

Foxdell Infant Dallow Road 20mph zone

Foxdell Junior Dallow Road Part time 20mph limit

Leabank Court Gill Blowers Nursery Mossdale Court 20mph zone

Icknield Way Pedestrian refuge, speed limit reduction Grasmere Nursery

Grasmere Road Hart Lane Nursery Whitecroft Road

Anthony Gardens

20mph zone Hillborough Infant and Junior Corncastle

Road 20mph zone

Riddy Lane Zebra crossing, cycle paths Icknield High

Birdsfoot Lane 20mph zone

Riddy Lane Narrowed un-controlled crossing point Icknield Primary

Birdsfoot Lane 20mph zone

Jamiatul Uloom Al - Islamia

Leagrave Road

Lady Zia Wernher Ashcroft Road

Lea Manor High Northwell Drive School keep clear, signing

Leagrave Primary Strangers Way 20mph zone

36



carried out

Lealands High Sundon Park Road

Safety camera, traffic islands, school keep clear

Luton Sixth Form College

Bradgers Hill Road

Traffic calming

Madrassa Islamia Biscot Road 20mph zone Dunstable Road Part time 20mph limit Maidenhall Primary

Newark Road 20mph zone

Mehria Westbourne Road

20mph zone

Moorlands High Street, Leagrave

Norton Road Primary Norton Road One way, 20mph zone Pastures Way Nursery Pastures Way Traffic calming Pirton Hill Infant & Junior

Butely Road 20mph zone

Putteridge Road 20mph zone Putteridge High

Edgewood Drive Putteridge Infant & Junior

Putteridge Road 20mph zone

Orchard Centre Strangers Way 20mph zone Rabia Girls Portland Road 20mph zone Rabia Boys Lincoln Road 20mph zone

Turners Road North

20mph zone Ramridge Primary Ramridge Primary

Ashcroft Road Speed restraint measures Rathbone Adelaide Street

Richmond Hill Sunridge Avenue

20mph zone

Rothesay Nursery Rothesay Road Additional parking in Napier Road, dropped kerbs Napier Road/Rothesday Road

Sacred Heart Primary Langford Drive 20mph zone, waiting restrictions

Someries Infant and Junior

Wigmore Lane Subway improvements, SCP, Waiting restrictions

Southfield Infant & Junior

Pastures Way Traffic calming

St Joseph’s Infants Gardenia Avenue

One way, 20mph zone

St Joseph’s Junior Blundel Road 20mph limit St Margaret’s Infant & Junior

Rotheram Avenue

Bus clearway, guard rail

St Martin de Porres Primary

Pastures Way Traffic calming

Cobden Street 20mph zone St Matthews Primary Havelock Road 20mph zone Stopsley High St Thomas Traffic calming

37



carried out Road

Stopsley Primary Hitchin Road

Sundon Park Junior Kinross Crescent

Surrey Street Primary Surrey Street 20mph zone Tennyson Road 20mph zone Tennyson Road

Primary Harcourt Road 20mph limit

Swasedale Road

20mph zone

Calverton Road 20mph zone The Meads Primary

Sawtry Close 20mph zone Warden Hill Infant and Junior

Birdsfoot Lane Part time no left turn, no parking on footways

Wauluds Primary Littlewood Croft Additional footway, 20mph limit

Wenlock Junior Beaconsfield 20mph zone Whipperley Infant Whipperley Ring 20mph zone Whitefield Infant and Junior

Stockholm Way Traffic calming

Twyford Drive Waiting restriction Wigmore Primary Crawley Green

Road Pedestrian refuges

William Austin Infant & Junior

Austin Road Part time 20mph speed limit

Culverhouse Road

20mph limit William Austin Infant & Junior St Ethelbert

Avenue 20mph zone

Woodlands Secondary Northwell Drive

38


Appendix E

School Travel Plan Procedures

1.0 What is a School Travel Plan? 1.1 A School Travel Plan (STP) is a document setting out a package of

measures for reducing the number of car trips made to school by parents, pupils and staff for improving safety on the journeys to and from school. The STP can be developed by a working group, which consists of parents, pupils, staff, local councillors, residents and other members of the community. (Stakeholders of the school)

2.0 Problems faced 2.1 More parents are now driving children to school causing congestion

around school gates and on the roads during peak hours. Rising car use means increased pollution; children missing out on daily exercise, which leads to obesity, poor immune system and illnesses; children becoming less independent, spend less time interacting with parents and other children; little road and personal safety skills.

2.2 According to research conducted by University College London (UCL) it

showed that among the year 8 pupils sampled, more calories were burnt walking to and from school each day than spending 2 hours on weekly PE lessons.

3.0 Benefits of producing a STP 3.1 A STP not only looks at reducing car use amongst parents and pupils, it

also focuses on safety and healthy welfares of the pupils. Carrying out the surveys helps to identify travel behaviour and problems faced by pupils, parents and staff. Identify actions/initiatives to encourage more walking, cycling and use of sustainable transport.

3.2 Benefits of walking to school include

pupils arrive mentally alert and ready to learn, improved fitness of pupils (and parents) better environment – fewer cars less pollution children learn road and personal safety skills, combats social exclusion and broadens education.

3.3 School Travel Plans also provides links to the Healthy School Scheme for

a better school reputation and Eco-schools, improve Ofsted inspection and focuses on the curriculum incorporating road safety into the national curriculum.

39


3.4 School Travel Plans also ties in with Extended Schools and Every Child Matters Agenda.

4.0 Producing a School Travel Plan 4.1 To produce a School Travel Plan the school has to

1) send out surveys (template provided by the School Travel Plan Advisor) to parents, pupils and staff to establish their travel behaviour and any problems they face on their journey to schools

2) Set up a working group – a whole school approach that will involve the stakeholders of the school.

3) Analyse Surveys (this can be done by the School Travel Plan Advisor.)

4) Once surveys have been analysed will meet up with working group to go through each section of the Quality Assurance. A template is available. Identify initiatives to include ways in encourage more walking, cycling and public transport use, links to curriculum, how to publicise the STP.

5) The School Travel Plan Advisor will quality assure the draft document and suggest changes. Once these changes are made then the document can be signed off by the Chair of Governors

6) The School Travel Plan Advisor will then arrange for the document to be signed by the Head of Engineering and Transportation for Engineering and Regeneration and the Head of Resources and Performance Review for Life Long Learning

7) Publicise the STP through newsletters, displays during Open Evening/Parents Evening.

5.0 Reviewing a School Travel Plan 5.1 The School Travel Plan should be reviewed annually and a report

prepared.

5.2 The report should include data from the PLASC survey on travel modes and whether this has decreased/increased over the past year and over the duration of the school travel plan, what activities have taken place over the year progress towards the aims and objectives.

5.3 The School Travel Plan Advisor can give help and assistance to schools preparing their report.

5.4 The report should be published on the schools website and the sustainable travel website (once developed) by the end of the Summer Term.

40


41

6.0 Updating School travel Plan 6.1 A full review/update of the School Travel Plan should take place every 5

years. This should include repeating the parents, pupils and staff School Travel surveys. Updating the targets.


Appendix F School Travel Plan Quality Assurance

Authority: Luton Borough Council School: Date STP received:

Supporting evidence STP Element

Essential Desirable Type – primary/secondary/independent/voluntary aided etc.

Location map and site plan

Age range & number of pupils. This must include the number of SEN pupils with a statement of need; with a transport element to the statement and a general comment about what impact this may have on travel.

Extended/community use of site

Written description of the locality of the school which sets the context for a third party.

Photographs

Opening times – pre & after – school clubs/extended schools.

Facilities (e.g. existing cycle parking, lockers)

Transport links – Details of key walking routes, cycle routes, bus services and times and railway stations serving the school.

Postcode plots

Details of school catchment area No. of parking spaces for staff/visitors

1. Description of the location, size and type of school

DCSF Unique School Reference Number (XXX/YYYY)

Current involvement of school in school travel activities and education

42



Essential Desirable Indication of sign up to other related initiatives e.g. Healthy Schools, Eco schools, sustainable schools.

Journeys made during the school day. Travel needs of other users e.g. staff, community etc if relevant

Future development likely to increase traffic levels or influence travel patterns

Mission statement or letter of recommendation signed by SMT/head.

Current involvement of the school in school travel activities and education could also be included here.

Existing policies to ensure good behaviour on public transport, cycling policies etc should be referenced here.

2. Description of the travel or transport problems or issues faced by school or cluster of schools.

This is a written description of the particular travel issues/problems at the school and can be in text or bullet format. It should be clear how these problems have been identified and when.

Travel between school sites could also be considered.

Date survey undertaken including month and year. Use (if available) historical data to show progress to date.

3. Survey results: How children currently travel to and from school

Survey of how all pupils ‘usually travel to school’ and ‘prefer to travel to school’; report data as numbers, as well as percentages (so that year on year comparisons can be made)

Survey of how pupils’ usually travel to and from school (number, percentage and total number surveyed)

43



Essential Desirable Report numbers surveyed as well as numbers responded.

To and from data should be surveyed and reported separately as it is not uncommon for pupils to travel by different modes at the start and end of the day.

More detailed questionnaires Staff travel surveys

How they would prefer to travel to and from school

Survey data should be recent, preferably current school year, but no more than 18 months old.

Parent’s survey. Clear objectives (i.e. statements of intent – what do we want to achieve?) stated within the text and linked back to the issues identified within the STP

Correlating SMART targets associated with each objective (i.e. a specific point which we want to reach by a stated time) that reflect the survey data and issues identified.

Targets should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound.

All STPs must include at the very least, one SMART target.

4. Clearly defined objectives and targets

Baseline data must always be included as without this there is no standard against which future performance can be measured.

Encourage schools to look to 2-3 years for longer term objectives

5. Details of proposed measures

A clearly defined yearly action plan stating what will be done to meet the STP’s objectives and correlating targets

Table format covering criteria 5,6,7 i.e. what, when, who

44



Essential Desirable Starting from when the school ‘signs’ up or approves the STP

Adding monitoring activities to an action plan helps to ensure that monitoring tasks are not overlooked. If working group meetings just focus on reviewing action plans that haven’t included monitoring tasks, then important activities could be overlooked

Actions linked to specific objectives and/or targets illustrating how these actions will achieve the associated target. It should be clear how measures are linked back to objectives, targets and or issues identified through consultation.

Action plans should not just contain new initiatives or proposals but also any existing or ongoing projects such as cycle training, WOW, bus prefects etc, and details of how they will be monitored.

Clearly state when the action/activity will be completed and/or undertaken

Avoid unclear or open statements such as ’ongoing’ or ‘2008’

6. Detailed timetable for implementation State month and year or term and year or a specific

date Identification of the risks which would prevent

implementation

Identify a lead person within the school to take up any actions with external bodies (e.g. with road safety or engineering departments in LAs).

7. Clearly defined responsibilities

Individuals should be named and duties should be spread around in order to reduce the load on any one individual within the school and ensure the plan will be sustained. It is advisable to identify specific individuals from larger organisations where their help and support is required to achieve actions identified.

Avoid unclear statements such as school or LA or listing the same individual for every action

Say how you are sought to find out the opinions and ideas of all those directly affected by the action plan in the STP.

More detailed questionnaires 8. Evidence that all parties have been consulted

Who was consulted, how and when? Parents surveyed and asked for their contribution/ideas.

45



Essential Desirable Consultation must involve parents/pupils, staff and governors. Evidence of consultation must be included and must involve more than just referring to consultation without evidence.

Staff survey

Attach evidence as appendices or include in main body of the plan. This may include:

- Findings of detailed questionnaires with parents, pupils and staff.

- Minutes of meetings with PTA/Governors/STP working group/other related groups within school

- School Council involved and tasked with actions

- Letters sent home to parents - Newsletter/displays designed to elicit views

and opinions.

List members of the STP working group

Say when the next survey will be done. Setting a month and year.

It is good practice to monitor actions and initiatives as well as specific targets

Set a month and year for reviewing the STP Include success criteria or monitoring indicators against each action in the action plan

State who (i.e. a specific individual) is responsible for ensuring both survey and review will be completed

Make links to the school development/improvement plan

9. Monitoring and review proposals

The STP must include a commitment that the review will consider pupil travel needs arising from new developments in education and transport provision and that the STP will be revised as necessary to take account of these

Good monitoring proposals linked to a good quality action plan, with clear activities that have monitoring built in.

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Essential Desirable Any review of an STP should be planned to start

before the action plan has run its course to guard against inactivity.


APPENDIX G

SAFER ROUTES TO SCHOOL CHALLENGE

Introduction

60 schools have had some form of engineering work as part of our annual Safety around Schools programme. A further seven are programmed for works in 2008/09. It is felt that it is now time to change the way that the programme is prioritised to give schools and local people more involvement in solving local problems and therefore, the Safe Routes to School Challenge has been devised to start in the 2010/11 financial year.

The programme will help to

promote the use of sustainable transport promote community cohesion reduce school related journeys reduce congestion outside schools reduce the actual and perceived road safety issues increase schools ownership of school travel problems

It aims to use local people’s knowledge to make it easier and safer to walk, cycle, car share and use public transport to travel to and from school. Funds are allocated each year as part of the Integrated Transport programme to safety around schools, walking, cycling, pedestrian facilities and public transport improvements.

All schools have different problems which require different solutions so there is likely to be bids are likely to be varied but could include

20mph zones (full or part time) controlled pedestrian crossings traffic calming cycle lanes improved bus stops new or improved footways dropped kerbs signing Pedestrian and cycle facilities inside schools

Procedure

The bidding process will be on the Council’s website and promoted to all schools.

Entries can only be from schools with up-to date approved School Travel Plans. If a school without a School Travel Plan wished to bid they will need to complete their School Travel Plan before the works programme is put to the Executive. If local people have ideas they can speak to the school and with their agreement can complete the application form for the school to enter.

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The application form is shown at the end of these procedure notes and may be updated from time to time.

Applications should be sent to the Road safety team electronically and received by the end of September. (postal application forms will be available).

Each application will be acknowledged and evaluated using the criteria below. The successful bids will then be put forward to the Council’s Executive as part of the Integrated Transport work programme in March. Schools will be notified if they are included/not included in this. If the Executive agree to the schemes being included in the programme of works then the scheme will be drawn up through the normal procedures including any necessary consultation. It should be noted that it may be withdrawn if substantial objections are received. Pupils will be given the opportunity to be involved in the design of any publicity material if appropriate.

Criteria for Evaluation

Feasibility – whether scheme is feasible and follows Council Policy yes/no. If no excluded from further assessment.

Schools commitment to sustainable travel – Points 0-3 – 0 being no commitment (ie no STP and not in production) 3 high commitment

Assessment of likely effectiveness of proposed scheme in reducing car travel, improving safety, increasing journeys on foot, by bicycle, public transport or car sharing. Points 0-3 – 0 unlikely 3 highly likely

Will scheme assist in other Local Transport Priorities - Points 0-3 – 0 unlikely 3 highly likely

Assessment of cost value of scheme – Points 0-3

Application Form – needs to be designed

School

Address

Name of coordinator/contact point for scheme

About the schools commitment to sustainable travel

Does you school have a School Travel Plan

Percentage of children already walking, cycling, use of public transport, car share

Has there been a decrease in the number of pupils travelling to school by car (compare latest PLASC data with School Travel Plan data)

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How does you school show commitment to sustainable travel and road safety (eg participating in ‘Stepping out Safely’ pedestrian training, Bikeability Cycle Training, Walk/cycle to School’ weeks, other road safety work)

Issue to be addressed

Ideas for solution to issue

Is you scheme likely to increase walking, cycling, use of public transport, car share

Is you scheme likely to assist people already walking, cycling, use of public transport, car share

Who have you discussed this idea with Governors, Head Teacher, School Staff, Parents, Pupils, Others (please specify)

Signatures of Chair of Governor and/or Head Teacher

sustainable modes of travel to schools and colleges strategy

Documents