School Travel Plans

Perhaps understandably parents do not feel that it is safe to allow their children to make their own way to school, either on foot or by bike, when the perception is that children are no longer safe from stranger intrusion or that roads have been designed for the car and are not safe to use by cyclists or pedestrians.  As a result the "school run" by car has become an accepted part of modern day life.  It does, however, contribute significantly to peak hour traffic congestion, often resulting in an unsafe environment on roads near to schools, particularly by the school gates. It also deprives children of the opportunity of enjoying healthy exercise by walking or cycling to school.

 

There is an alternative.  By working in partnership, Eastleigh Borough Council and local schools are looking at ways of developing and implementing "Safe Routes to School" so that children can walk or cycle along dedicated footways and cycle ways between major catchment areas and the local school.  Schools, again in partnership with us, are developing School Travel Plans which  can provide a framework by which parents, teachers and pupils can agree a strategy to reduce car dependency for the "school run".  Many of the Boroughs schools have worked closely with Borough officers and to develop School Travel Plans with 23 already having completed plans.  It is expected that a further two will be completed this year.