Safer Routes to School

The Problem

Nationally, over the last twenty years, the number of children who walk or cycle to school has decreased drastically and the number of children driven to school has increased four-fold.

This is the main reason why most schools have the so called 'school gate' parking problem. Children who are driven to school in cars gain very little road safety awareness and are denied the opportunity of exercise and socialising with their peers.

What is 'safer routes to school'?

A project which aims to enable children to walk and cycle to and from school through the introduction of area-wide traffic calming and the creation of safer walking and cycling networks. These are supported by school based education and training programmes.

Aims

-To improve the safety of the journey to and from school
-To reduce the number of car trips to and from school
-To encourage walking and cycling to and from school
-To educate children to cope with their local road environment
-To work with the community to create an environment which is safer for all
-To introduce engineering measures to reduce vehicle speeds
-To reduce the number of pedestrian and cyclist accidents

Partnerships

A Safer Routes to School project is a partnership between the schools and the other agencies involved. A steering group is set up to oversee the project which consists of representatives from the schools including staff, governors, parents and pupils, members and officers from the County and District Councils and other representatives from the local community.

The process

The school community takes part in consultations about the journey to school. Surveys establish current travel patterns, identify problem locations and suggest solutions. Measures to make the area safer and encourage walking and cycling are designed, costed and prioritised. The schools and other members of the community are consulted about the draft proposals.

Measures such as traffic calming, new crossings, improved pavements and footpaths and improved lighting are built during school holidays wherever possible.

Safer Routes to School projects are supported by education, training and publicity throughout the life of the Safer Routes Project, and include work within schools linked to the changes in the environment, pedestrian and cyclist training and the promotion of alternatives to the car for the journey to school.

The benefits

• Road Safety - Local communities which are made safer benefit all those who live, work or travel around the area, especially vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.
• Health - Walking and cycling are both excellent forms of exercise and can be built into the daily travel pattern. Parents escorting their children to and from school will also benefit from daily exercise.
• Environment - Streets with reduced traffic volumes benefit from improved air quality, reduced noise levels and allow easier passage of pedestrians and cyclists.
• Community & Consultation - An opportunity for the local community to be involved and influence the aims and objectives of the project.
• Education - Can support curricular activities, eco-school and health promotion work.

 Norton Canes Schools
 Weston Road Schools 
 Lichfield Schools 
 Cheadle Schools 

 Penkridge Schools

 Wombourne Schools

 Stone Schools

 

Consultation

Pupils attending the High and Middle schools involved in our new projects will be completing a travel survey to provide information for the Steering Group. The pupils do not put their names on the forms, but are asked for their views and comments on the school journey, along with any suggestions they may have to improve safety in the area.

Parents / carers of children at Christ Church Primary, Lichfield.

Have your say on the North Lichfield Safer Routes to School Project - to make your son or daughter's journey to school safer, easier and more convenient, we need to know your views.

Normally, views are gathered through paper based surveys, distributed through schools. We are currently running a trial at Christ Church Primary School to find out whether parents and carers would prefer to complete an online survey if they have access to the internet. Please spend a few minutes completing the survey below. All surveys must be completed by Wednesday 30th April 2008. If you prefer to complete a paper copy, these are available from the school office.

Click here for the survey

For further information please contact:

The Education Team
Tel: (01785) 854035
E-mail: roadsafety@staffordshire.gov.uk

Last Modified: 21/04/2008 10:19:08
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