Doncaster Council

School Travel

Travel to school is an important issue and one that concerns many people. The "school run" accounts for approximately 1 in 5 cars on the road during the morning peak, contributing to increased levels of congestion and pollution and means that children are becoming less active, more car dependent from an early age and missing out on road safety awareness.

Allowing children independent travel helps them to develop social and life skills and increases their confidence. The health of children is another important reason why alternative methods of travelling to school should be considered. Child obesity has climbed to an all time high, and there are no signs of this trend declining.

School Travel Plans

An effective school travel plan puts forward a package of measures to improve safety and reduce car use, backed by a partnership involving the school, education and transport officers from the local authority, the police and the health authority. It is based on consultation with teachers, parents, pupils and governors and other local people.

The school travel plan helps to identify issues and concerns on the school journey and will be considered for additional funding through the Safer Routes to School.

Some schools have benefited with the following improvements:

• Upgrading narrow footpath to a shared cycle path

• Maintenance issues along footpaths

• Surfacing and lighting on an existing Public Right of Way currently used for as a walking route to school.

• Improved surfacing on a cycle route

School Travel Grants

Every Local Authority school is entitled to receive a school travel capital grant. The award is subject to the submission of an approved school travel plan. The size of the grant is based on the type of school and the number of pupils on roll at the school. An average size primary school will receive £5,000 and an average secondary school will receive £10,000. The grants can only be used in support of the travel plan and on measures within the school premises. Schools are only eligible for one grant but they have 3 years to spend it.

77 Doncaster schools had in place an approved travel plan by March 2007 with a target for all schools to have a travel plan by 2010. The funding can be used to make improvements within the school grounds such as:

• Lockers.

• Cycle storage.

• Scooter storage.

• New access at school perimeter. - only if it is on school land 

• New path for pedestrians and/or cyclists in school grounds.

• Wider paths in the school grounds.

• Drainage.

• Improved lighting in school grounds.

• CCTV.

• On site waiting area for pedestrians.

• On site shelter for pedestrians

• Bus turning circle in school grounds.

• Guardrail.

• Traffic calming on school access roads in school grounds.

• New signing.

• Re-siting school fences to improve access.

• Car drop zones / turning circles / car parks in school grounds.

• Remote control entry system for a pedestrian gate.

Further Information

If you wish to find out more about school travel plans, two key documents are available via the related links in the left hand menu.

Additional advice on school travel plans or specific school travel initiatives is also available by contacting the Transportation Unit on 01302 862310.