School Travel Plans

A school travel plan is a document which sets out a number of practical ways to reduce the number of car trips made to a school, to encourage more walking and cycling and to improve safety on the school journey.

The travel plan aims to raise awareness of the benefits of walking, cycling or catching the bus on children's health, safety and independence. The travel plan can also include proposals for physical improvements and facilities to make the journey feel safer and more pleasant for those on foot or bicycle such as 'Safer Routes to School' and 'School Zones' schemes and cycle parking facilities.

Further examples of travel initiatives include a walking bus, "park and stride" (parking away from the school at designated sites and walking the remainder) and cycle training.

Why develop a school travel plan?

By developing a travel plan, a school is demonstrating a commitment to promoting a safer, cleaner and more attractive school environment. The travel plan process provides its pupils with excellent curriculum activities in a wide range of subjects. With their health, safety and environmental messages, School Travel Plans can contribute to other national education initiatives such as Healthy Schools, Eco-Schools and Sustainable Schools. The travel plan can provide eligibility for funding. Current levels are approximately £5,000 for the average sized primary school and £10,000 for the averaged-sized secondary school. This funding can be used for a variety of capital projects within the school grounds which encourage walking, cycling and the use of public transport.

Annual monitoring of progress is mandatory and the school must produce a progress report each year.

Contact Details:

School Travel Plan Co-ordinators
Policy and Sustainable Transport Team
Floor 6, Civic Centre 4
Much Park Street
Coventry
CV1 2PY
Tel: (024) 7683 1184
Fax: (024) 7683 1259
E-mail: sustainabletransport@coventry.gov.uk

Coventry City Council