Alison Butler Road Safety Officer (Cycling) London Borough of Hackney London’s School Travel Plan Programme: Sustainable Travel in the heart of the Community Alison Butler Road Safety Officer (Cycling) London Borough of Hackney

The Problem Increased car use on the school run = CO2 emissions Poor air quality Traffic congestion Rising levels of obesity Poor attention levels in students Staff access problems

Cost of poor transport policy nationally: c.£38-48bn Total (Figures from Stephen McFarlane, DfT) £3-5bn Noise £1.2-3.7bn GHG emissions £9.8bn Physical inactivity £4.5- £10.6bn Air quality £8.7bn Traffic Collisions £10.9bn Excess delays Urban areas / year Cost category

Inactive travel: the health consequences UK: 2/3 adults not physically active enough, meaning: 2/3 overweight or obese Linked to CHD, stroke, diabetes, cancer 20-30% higher risk of premature death Costs £5m per local health authority every year (Figures from Stephen McFarlane, DfT)

Active travel: the health benefits Cycling as an example: Risk of major diseases reduced by 50% Risk of premature death reduced by 20-30% 39% lower rate of mortality Health benefits currently outweigh safety risks by 20:1 (Stephen McFarlane, DfT)

The Solution Encourage modal shift away from the car, towards walking & cycling (& public transport) ‘School Travel Plans’ (STPs) Joint national initiative since 2000 - Govt depts for Education and Transport Supported & administered by Transport for London (TfL) from 2004

Mayor’s Transport Strategy “School Travel Plans: the London boroughs will work with schools to develop plans that encourage more sustainable forms of travel and reduce traffic congestion” Mayors Transport Strategy Proposal

Objectives of London School Travel Plan programme: • Reduce the number of car trips on journeys to and from school • Remove barriers, both perceived and actual, to walking, cycling and using public transport for school journeys • Increase the number of young people and adults choosing ‘active travel’ options over the car • Increase understanding among school communities of the travel options available to them • Provide information that allows school communities to understand the benefits of active, sustainable transport, and to use this information to make informed travel choices Bla bla bls

Targets: London – 100% schools (both state and independent) will have a school travel plan in place by end 2009 Nationally – 100% by 2010

What is a School Travel Plan? At its most basic: AIM: Bring about a change in home to school travel patterns to cut congestion and pollution and allow pupils to take regular exercise. To do this in a a safe environment. National Policy: Local Policy: London - MTS Borough - UDP, LIP, BSP, LEA policies .

What is a School Travel Plan? Description of the school identification of problems/concerns results of survey & evidence of consultation clear targets and objectives details of proposed measures and timetable for implementation with responsibilities identified proposals for monitoring and review Official sign-off & approval

Funding available to schools: One-off capital grants: Primary: £3750 + £5 per pupil Secondary: £5000 + £5 per pupil Special: £5000 + £5 per pupil Mayor’s cycle parking Up to £3000 available on application to schools with an active plan Additional: LCC, Sustrans, National Lottery…

Resources available: Curriculum packs; linking cycling and walking to science, art, geography... Walk on Wednesday (WoW) resource materials – badges, charts etc Bikeability – cycle training for the 21st century Bike It Officers Upgrade transition packs Theatre in Education

Where funding/support comes from: National Level: DCSF (Children, Schools & Families) joint funds with DfT (Transport) Living Streets, Sustrans, LCC Regional level: TfL (Transport for London) coordinates local authorities (LAs) Local Level: LAs ‘house’ School Travel Advisors (STAs) and administer funding to schools. Can also bid for/provide further funding for STP-related activities School Level: Independent fund-raising

Links to Road Safety Strong focus on partnership working Importance of road safety skills particularly practical pedestrian and cyclist training Curriculum work building on best practice in RS field Many schools require engineering works some of which will be collision remedial Road safety audits and reviews part of STP Less cars, more cyclists & pedestrians = safer streets: ‘Safety in Numbers’

Another burden on schools? NAHT support Increasingly recognized by OFSTED Links to ‘Every Child Matters’ Can be part of other school planning Healthy schools/Eco Schools/Sustainable Schools Road safety education Pulls together what the school is already doing in a co-ordinated and supported way

Role of the STA Report back to TFL School Travel Advisor in every London Borough Advice and support to schools Guidance on what the travel plan should contain Assistance with curriculum work and resources Liaison with engineers, RSOs etc Help with funding sources Report back to TFL

Role of TfL Schools Team Advice and support to boroughs Guidance on STPs and related issues Training provision Quality Assurance Strategic links Report back to Govt and TFL

Role of STP ‘Champion’ Based in school – teacher, parent, governor, or learning mentor Write/review/rewrite STP Co-ordinate school community stakeholders: Governors, parents, school council, staff, pupils, local community groups Ensure implementation of action plan

Accreditation Since 2007 Rewards schools for keeping plan ‘active’ Bronze ‘Sustainable’ Silver ‘Higher Standards’ Gold ‘Outstanding’ Platinum ‘School of the Year’ Annual awards ceremony Eligible for prioritised funding/resources

Results so far… In London – 3,100 schools In 2005, approximately 1500 travel plans in place - Mainly primary schools By July 2009, 2600 schools – 88% 6.2% modal shift away from car use across 33 boroughs 5 years in London – work just beginning…

The future: Monitoring: schools need to keep plan active and gather data on modal shift Document: the STP itself is a lot of paperwork – needs to be simplified Keep rewarding practice – ‘active’ plans Recession – STAs under threat, but key to keeping momentum. Soft measures at local level not always expensive. More joint working from national to local level. E.g. Health authorities: from DH at national level to Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) at local level, and DECC (Energy & Climate Change). Next target: 2020 Every school a sustainable school – food, energy, travel…

Useful websites/ resources/contacts: School Travel Accreditation website, including guide booklets: http://www.staccreditation.org.uk/ For further information, including curriculum resources on walking and cycling, contact: Alison Butler Road Safety Officer/Cycle Training Manager, L.B. Hackney Email: alison.butler@hackney.gov.uk Ross Butcher Assistant School Travel Advisor (London) Email: RossButcher@tfl.gov.uk