How could you
travel to school?
2014/15
A practical guide for Hampshire parents and carers
about safer, active and sustainable travel to school.
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Your child is starting a new school and your family’s
routine will change too.
Now is the perfect time to look at how your child will go to school.
The school run is a great opportunity to start your child’s day in
a positive and energized way and walking, cycling or scooting
contributes towards the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical
activity.
By leaving the car at home or a short distance away from the school
gate, families will help to reduce congestion, make the school
environment safer and our children will be healthier, happier and
ready to learn.
For many reasons, it can be difficult to walk the whole journey.
However, through our individual choices, we can all make a
difference. This booklet outlines how families can make small and
easy changes that can make a big difference.
Contents
4
The school run
5
How do we travel to school?
6
My Journey and Journey Planner
7
Bus, train and school transport
8-9 Walking to school
10-11 Cycling & scooting to school
12-13 Driving to school
14 Seat belt laws
15 Child pedestrian training & road
safety resources
16 School Travel Plans
17 Useful contacts at Hampshire County Council
18 Useful websites
19 Competition drawing
“We walk to school
on Fridays when I
don’t have to rush
off to work.”
2
3
The school run
How do we travel to school?
Our vision is for children to regularly walk, cycle or scoot to school. As a
result children will perform better academically, as they are mentally and
physically healthier and are more independent. Neighbourhoods where
people walk and cycle more are safer and more pleasant because there
are fewer cars.
There are almost 600 schools in Hampshire (not including Portsmouth
and Southampton). The chart below gives a snapshot of how
Hampshire children travelled to school over the last decade
(2003-2014);
How can we achieve this?
•We can change our own travel behaviour, thereby supporting the
health and well-being of our families and school communities
•Schools can include active travel in their school curriculum and ethos
•We can work together to develop transport schemes that remove
barriers to active travel.
To see if your school is participating in any of the enclosed initiatives
see “What’s happening at my school?” at
myjourneyhampshire.com/backtoschool
Hampshire School Travel 2003 - 2014
60%
50%
Walk
40%
Cycle
30%
Bus/Taxi
20%
Train
10%
Car Total
Safer, active and sustainable travel to school
14
13
20
12
20
20
11
10
20
09
20
20
08
07
20
06
20
05
20
04
20
20
20
03
0%
Source: Hands-up data (2003-2006) and School SIMS data reporting system (2007-2014)
The latest mode of travel survey shows that in 2014 28%
of children in Hampshire are travelling to school by car (32% if you
include car sharing). This is a reduction of 12% of pupils travelling to
school, whilst the proportion walking has increased by 12%.
That’s 20,400 fewer car journeys on the road each week day morning.
4
5
My Journey and Journey Planner
Bus, train & school transport
The My Journey Planner helps people make smarter travel choices in
Hampshire. It recognises Hampshire place names like schools, so you
don’t have to remember the postcode.
The County Council has a duty to provide free transport between home
and school for some children. The Passenger Transport Group currently
provides transport for more than 11,000 mainstream students every day
using local bus services, dedicated school buses and rail travel.
It can help parents and carers plan a safe route and find out which
buses go near each school.
If your child already attends school and you want to try a different
way to get to school, it will show you how many calories you might
burn if you walk or cycle. With some options, it will also tell you how
much it is likely to cost you.
The Journey Planner is available on our website and on web enabled
mobile phones, along with real time travel information for both trains
and buses.
Entitlement is based on certain criteria including the distance to the
appropriate school, low income, attendance at a special school, and
some medical reasons.
For information on free home school transport and assessment for
all taxi transport (medical and SEN) for travel to school please
contact the Passenger Transport Group.
Visit myjourneyhampshire.com/backtoschool
Download ‘Hants
RTI’ app for free
for real time bus
information on
smart phones.
6
“The very best bit of cycling with
children is the closeness you get
from talking to them and teaching
them the rules of the road. I also
love random trips or stopping
to look at a bird’s nest, a dog
playing in the water, to talk to
friends or have a picnic!”
7
Walking to school
Walking is easy, free and good for you and your child’s health. The
school journey is a perfect opportunity for children to learn about
their local area, develop wider social networks and gain some
independence.
5 good reasons to Walk to School
Top tips for parents and children to get
walking to school
•Plan your route together in advance, finding
quieter roads and paths wherever possible
•Practice the journey at the weekend when the
roads are likely to be quieter
By the end of 2014,
122 Hampshire
schools will have
taken part in Living
Streets WoW
•Accompany your child for a few days. As they
gain confidence, gradually reduce how far you go
•Make sure they know how to deal with any busier junctions
or roads
•Cross the road with a School Crossing Patrol Officer if possible
•Take part in Walk to School Events in May and October
Most families live within 1.5 miles of their school and yet one in five
cars during the morning peak time are doing the school run.
By encouraging children to walk at least once a week, you will not
only reduce congestion and pollution around the school gates but the
school environment will also be safer.
We aim to achieve this by working with schools
and partners, like Living Streets, to encourage
schools and their communities to leave the car at
home when they can.
•If you live too far away, why not try Park & Stride. See page 12
Teachers find that
pupils who walk and
cycle arrive at school
more relaxed, alert
and ready to start the
day than those who
travel by car.
• Encourage your school to become a Living Streets WoW school and Walk Once a Week.
• Walk with a friend. Get dropped off at a friend’s house close to school and walk together.
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8
9
Cycling
Currently only 3% of Hampshire school children cycle to school,
largely because parents worry about traffic danger. However, by
providing them with cycle skills and teaching them road safety,
children will be more able to enjoy the freedom of cycling.
Once your child is confident on their bike, getting them used to cycling
on the roads will develop them in many ways. Not only will they gain
a sense of independence and life skills, but they’ll also improve their
health and fitness.
Bikeability
Bikeability training is cycle proficiency for the 21st
century. Hampshire County Council provides pupils with
the opportunity to undertake Bikeability Level 2 and 3
cycle training.
We also provide some basic bike skill courses (age
5-8) and Bikeability level 1 (age 8+). Funding for these
courses is limited, so contact your school to see if your
school is eligible.
To support schools and families we work with our partners Sustrans
and Road Safety to promote cycling through activities such as • Bikeability training
• Bikers’ breakfasts
• Dr Bike
• Bike clubs
• Smoothie bike
• Maintenance workshops
• Curriculum activities
For cycle to school safety advice visit www.sustrans.org.uk/changeyour-travel/children-and-families/cycling-kids/cycling-safety-children
Scooter training
40 schools received
free bike/scooter
storage in the last
two years.
Scooter training is a fun and safe way to get
to school as long as children are aware of a
few basic road safety rules. Scooter training improves scooting skills,
confidence and awareness of other pavement users. It is currently free
to schools until March 2015.
Visit myjourneyhampshire.com/backtoschool to find our top tips
for scooting
“2,500 pupils have
our scooter skills completed
training”
ist,
pic gold medal
Dani King, olym
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in
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10
11
Driving to school
If you need to drive your child to school
For the safety of your child, their friends and the local community you
have a responsibility to park safely, legally and considerately.
Try ‘Park & Stride’ - park away from the school entrance and walk the last
5 or 10 minutes. Walking half a mile only takes between 8-17 minutes. How many calories you burn depends on how fast you walk. Or why not put your child’s scooter in the car and scoot the rest of the way?
School zigzag markings are there to ensure clear sight lines for all road
users, outside of schools. They create a clear and safer area to cross. There
is a ’No Stopping’ order placed on most zigzags, from 8am – 6pm Monday
to Friday. If you stop or park on the markings during these times, you are
likely to receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of £70.
Parking Promise / Parkwise
To reinforce these rules in the school community, we
run a campaign called Parking Promise, which builds
on our Parkwise leaflet priniciples.
is
kw
e Pro
m
ise
Try a ‘Walking Bus’ - organise a small group of parents/
carers to share the walk to school and take it in turns with other parents
to do the school run. You could even combine this idea with Park and
Stride. www.hants.gov.uk/schooltravelplans/wb.index.html
School Keep Clears
Pa
r
What can we do instead?
SCHOOL
5mins walk
Try ‘Kiss and Drop’ - when your child is old enough and more
independent, consider parking away from the school and allowing your
child to walk in alone or with a friend. Be sure to check the route first
and talk it through with your child.
Try Car Sharing - If you have to drive to school, then get together with
other parents who need to go by car and take it in turns to drive. Guidance
on how car sharing can be set up at school is available on the School
Travel Planning Team’s website: www.hants.gov.uk/
schooltravelplans/car_share.html
You could start
by doing any of
these just once or
twice a week.
More information at
www.myjourneyhampshire.com/parkingpromise
TWE ET1
Parking enforcement
Most local councils in Hampshire have responsibility for the enforcement of
certain on-street parking restrictions.
The Police have a duty to enforce other traffic offences, which can result in
penalty points being issued on your driving licence.
To get in touch with your local Parking Enforcement team, please contact your
district council. To contact the Police about a parking issue, either dial 101 or
go online at www.police.uk/
20 mph zones
Some schools have ‘Twenty’s Plenty’ signs in the
vicinity. These signs encourage drivers to be aware of
the advisable speed outside of schools. The County
Council is also piloting a number of enforceable
20mph zones throughout the county. For more
information, visit Hampshire’s Traffic Management
web pages.
TWE ET1
12
13
Seat belt laws
If you are driving your child and others on the journey to school, it is
important that you understand the law on child seatbelts.
Front seat
Rear seat
Seat belt
MUST be
worn if
available
Correct child restraint MUST Driver
be used.
If one is not available in the
taxi, then the child may travel
unrestrained in the car.
Children under
3 years old
Correct child
restraint
MUST be
used
Correct child restraint MUST Driver
be used.
If one is not available in the
taxi, then the child may travel
unrestrained in the car.
Children aged
3 and above,
until they reach
EITHER their
12th birthday
or 135cm in
height
Correct child
restraint
MUST be
used
Driver
Where seat belts fitted,
correct child restraint MUST
be used. MUST use adult
belt if the correct child
restrain is not available in
three scenarios.
• In a licensed taxi or private vehicle hire vehicle
• For a short distance for
a reason of unexpected
necessity
• Two occupied child
restraints prevent fitment
of a third.
In addition, a child of 3 and
over may travel unrestrained
in the rear seat of a vehicle if
seat belts are not available.
Driver
14
Responsibility
Child over
1.35m or 12-13
years old
Seat belt
MUST be
worn if
available
Seat belt MUST be worn if
available.
Driver
Adult
passengers
(i.e. 14 years
and over)
Seat belt
MUST be
worn if
available
Seat belt MUST be worn if
available.
Passenger
Child pedestrian training and road safety resources
Streets Ahead
The Streets Ahead Pedestrian
Training scheme is aimed at
Year Two children and is led by
volunteers from each school. The course involves three practical
sessions, which include using the Green Cross Code, what to
wear and how to behave, keeping safe on the pavements as well
as finding the safest route. A range of road safety resources for
all ages is available to schools to borrow including role play sets,
puzzle, books, posters, DVD and more all promoting key road safety
messages. For road safety advice or how to volunteer for the Streets
Ahead programme you can contact the Road Safety Team.
Junior Road Safety Officers
The Junior Road Safety Officer (JRSO) scheme
involves one Year Five and one Year Six pupil
becoming JRSOs. They teach their peers about
road safety through assemblies, having their
own notice board and running competitions. The
JRSOs are trained at two annual events lead by the Road Safety
Team with the support of various partners. To find out if your school has JRSOs or how your school can get involved you can contact the Road Safety Team.
15
School Travel Plans
A School Travel Plan (STP) is developed by the whole school
community to set out how the school will promote safer, active and
sustainable travel to school, with the support of key stakeholders
e.g. Hampshire County Council.
The aim is to reduce the number of children being driven to and from
school. However, Hampshire is a diverse county, and so this may not
always be possible. A good travel plan will have involved all those
affected by travel to/from the school including local residents.
An effective school travel plan is an action plan to:
• reduce the number of vehicles on the journey to school
• encourage more active and sustainable travel choices, and
• improve safety on the journey to school.
It increases opportunities for pupils to exercise, reduces traffic
and congestion around the school gate, and improves the local
environment for the whole community.
Ask at your school office to see a copy of your school’s travel plan
or contact the county’s School Travel Planning Team.
Useful contacts at
Hampshire County Council
School Travel Planning Team
School Travel Plans, Living Streets’ Walk once a Week (WoW), Walking
Bus, scooter training, under 8’s cycle training, ParkWise/Parking Promise
and Sustrans’ Bike It.
W: www.hants.gov.uk/schooltravelplans and
myjourneyhampshire.com/backtoschool
E: [email protected] or T: 01962 845638
Road Safety Team
Bikeability Level 2 (Year 5-6) and Level 3 (Year 6 and up), School
Crossing Patrol service, Streets Ahead (child pedestrian training),
Junior Road Safety Office (JRSO), Walk to School Week, in-car safety,
road safety publicity and classroom materials
W: www.hants.gov.uk/roadsafety/children.htm
E: [email protected] or T: 01962 846100
Schools Admissions
W: www.hants.gov.uk/education/admissions
E: [email protected]
T: 01329 225375
Passenger Transport - home to school transport
Your child may be entitled to travel support or subsidy.
Visit www.hants.gov.uk/traveltoschool/school-transport.htm for full
details or contact the Passenger Transport Group for further details,
forms and contact details.
• Mainstream - entitlements/arrangements (this means pupils without a
Statement of Special Education Needs)
T: 01962 846924, 01962 845332
• SEN - entitlements/arrangements North Team 01962 846993
South Team 01962 845787 West Team 01962 845970
W: www.hants.gov.uk/passengertransport.htm
E: [email protected]
16
17
"
Useful websites
Age:
Hampshire County Council
School Travel Planning www.hants.gov.uk/schooltravelplans/
Road Safety www.hants.gov.uk/roadsafety
My Journey www.myjourneyhampshire.com/backtoschool
Public Transport www.hants.gov.uk/passengertransport.htm
School Transport www.hants.gov.uk/traveltoschool/school-transport.htm
Traffic Management www.hants.gov.uk/trafficmanagement.htm
Trains
National Rail Enquiries www.nationalrail.co.uk
South West Trains www.southwesttrains.co.uk
Southern www.southernrailway.com South Central and South Eastern
patch (previously Connex).
18
Name of child:
Address and/or email address:
Public transport and buses
Hampshire County Council www.hants.gov.uk/passengertransport.htm
Traveline www.travelineinfo
Bus companies & timetables www.hants.gov.uk/passengertransport/
transport-advice/bus-guides.htm
Cycle training
Bikeability www.dft.gov.uk/bikeability
My Journey courses www.myjourneyhampshire.com/cycle
Sustrans www.sustrans.org.uk/bikeit
Twitter: @BikeitSH
Competition drawing
Walking – schools campaigns
Living Streets www.walktoschool.org.uk
Name of parent:
Road safety
Department for Transport – road safety www.think.direct.gov.uk
Brake, road safety charity www.brake.org.uk
Car seat information www.childcarseats.org.uk
This is a picture of my dream way of travelling to school
Sustainable travel to school
Sustrans www.saferoutestoschools.org.uk
19
W
Ham IN!
attra pshire
c
vouc tions’
hers
Competition
This is your chance to win one of five vouchers for one
of Hampshire’s tourist attractions! Cut off this page, then
draw a picture on the back showing “my dream way of
travelling to school.”
Then ask your parent/carer to fill in your details and send to the
following address;
School Travel Competition,
School Travel Planning Team, ETE Department
Hampshire County Council, 2nd floor,
EII Court West
Winchester SO23 8UD.
Alternatively, scan in the picture and email it, including your contact
details to [email protected]
Closing date is 31 October 2014. Sorry but we cannot return any
pictures. Winners will be announced on 30 November 2014.
Visit our website www.myjourneyhampshire.com/terms to view terms and conditions.