CHS Travel Plan - Cheadle Hulme School

/School Travel Plan
2017-2020
Contents
About Cheadle Hulme School
2
Location and Catchment
4
Developing the Travel Plan
5
Consultation and Involvement
6
Objectives, Targets & Initiatives:
7
1.
Reduce the number of cars:
7
2.
Increase the use of Student Coach Services
10
3.
Increase cycling, and make it safer:
12
4.
Increase walking, and make it safer:
13
5.
Increase the use of public trains:
14
Summary of Objectives, Targets and Initiatives
15

Improving safety

Reducing congestion

Removing barriers
Cheadle Hulme School Travel Plan | Page 1 (click here to return to Page 1)
Introduction
This Travel Plan sets out the key principles for traffic, transport
and movement to and from Cheadle Hulme School (CHS). The
Travel Plan is a key enabler in the delivery of the School’s 10Year Strategic Plan and in developing CHS as a sustainable and
socially responsible organisation.
The initiatives outlined aim to be delivered over the next 3 years
to encourage sustainable travel to and from School, to reduce the
reliance on the private car, and to reduce the impact on the local
road network at peak times. This will be done against a backdrop
that students’ health and safety is paramount and after taking
into account the School operation, size and catchment area. The
Plan includes realistic travel options that can be used by staff,
parents, students and visitors, and will hopefully benefit them
and the local neighbourhood.
The overall intention of the Travel Plan is to encourage a safer, healthier and
greener School travel to benefit the whole School community by:
Improving
safety
through the delivery of
a
pedestrian-friendly
and vehicle-free central
area to the School, to
allow students, staff
and visitors to walk
through
the
main
School area safely and
efficiently.
Reducing congestion
on campus and on the
neighbouring roads by
decreasing the number
of cars coming to and
from School at the
beginning and end of
the School day. Also
helping to minimise air
and
noise
pollution
around the School and
in the local vicinity.
Removing barriers,
(both
perceived
and
actual), to walking, cycling
and using coach transport
for School journeys, by
promoting information and
opportunities
that
demonstrate the benefits of
active,
sustainable
transport to the School
community and helping to
inform how they choose to
travel to School.
About Cheadle Hulme School
Cheadle Hulme School is an independent co-educational day School for students aged 4
to 18 years. The School was founded in 1855 as the Manchester Warehousemen and
Clerks’ Orphans’ School and moved to the present site in the suburb of Manchester in
1869.
The School sits within land allocated as Green Belt in the Stockport Unitary Development
Plan, which was adopted in 2006.
The School’s contact details are as follows:
Cheadle Hulme School, Claremont Road, Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire SK8 6EF.
www.cheadlehulmeschool.co.uk
Cheadle Hulme School Travel Plan | Page 2 (click here to return to Page 1)
The School’s Aims are:
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That each student experiences a challenging, dynamic and relevant education
which enables them to reach their full academic potential and flourish in a rapidly
changing world;
That each student develops a love of learning that extends beyond the confines of
examination courses, and is able to work effectively in a variety of settings;
That each student develops a strong set of personal values and learns to value
themselves and others, appreciating difference and individuality and supporting
those in need or less fortunate than themselves;
That each student discovers and develops a broad and relevant set of skills and
aptitudes which enable them to undertake useful and effective roles in their
communities.
The School aims to achieve these through:
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An approach to education which fosters and encourages the core Waconian
Values of Integrity, Endeavour, Resilience, Compassion and Contribution;
A co-educational environment which enables boys and girls to learn, work and
develop together, enabling each to inspire the other;
A strong pastoral care system centred upon the principles of well-being;
A commitment to social inclusivity and outreach, building upon the School’s
founding philanthropic values;
A range of learning environments which develop flexible learning and the ability
to respond to and thrive in a technologically-sophisticated world;
A varied, inclusive and stimulating range of co-curricular opportunities, which
complement and extend the curriculum.
Cheadle Hulme School
has
around
274
members
of
staff
including 141 teaching
staff and 133 support
staff.
Cheadle Hulme School has
around 1400 students, with
321 students in the Junior
School, 825 students in the
Senior School and 254 in
the Sixth Form.
School starts at 8.40am, with students arriving from 7.30am.
The teaching day finishes at 3.45pm, with co-curricular
activities going on until 6pm and on Saturday mornings. As
part of the normal course of business, the School also holds
Open Days, sporting fixtures and educational events.
In the evenings and weekends when not in use for the general
School day, School facilities are let out to sports clubs and
community groups. Lettings are managed through Cheadle
Hulme School Enterprises Ltd. which is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Cheadle Hulme School. CHS Enterprises Ltd.
ensures that lettings activities are carried out in a responsible
manner, do not hinder or prevent School educational provision
and align with the School ethos, aims and brand. The profits of
CHS Enterprises Ltd. are given back to the School each year to
be applied for educational purposes.
Cheadle Hulme School Travel Plan | Page 3 (click here to return to Page 1)
Location and Catchment
The School is situated in a suburban residential area of Stockport, and is located 205m
from the busy Hulme Hall Road. Hulme Hall Road brings a high volume of traffic close to
the School and there are several other schools within the area; including Hulme Hall
Grammar (314m), Greenbank Preparatory (267m) and Cheadle Hulme High (664m). As
of September 2017, Hulme Hall Grammar School will be moving to the site of the former
Hillcrest Grammar School, at which time the impact of this will be assessed.
Whilst Hulme Hall Road is a strategic link road connecting Cheadle Hulme to the north
with the A34, to the south it has active residential frontage, with a number of properties
having direct vehicular access onto this adopted highway.
The residential area
surrounding the School is traffic-calmed with a 30mph speed limit.
The School benefits from three access points to the campus and associated parking
areas (known as Claremont Road Visitors Entrance, the Gym car park, and School Lane
Entrance), each of which are gated with controlled access operated by intercom by the
School’s Main Reception. Authorised pedestrians and cyclists can also use these access
points to enter the campus and access the various School facilities.
The School’s Main Visitors’ Entrance is located to the south of Claremont Road, a
residential street that forms part of the publicly adopted highway. The School runs
alongside Claremont Road towards its junction with Heathbank Road to the west, with
Hulme Hall Road to the east. There is a further residential area on the eastern side of
the School sports pitches as well as at Smithy Green; residential development on the
western side of the School is restricted by the railway line and School fields.
Claremont Road has parking restrictions
along its entire length. Yellow line
restrictions prohibit parking and waiting
along this route from the railway bridge
to its junction with Hulme Hall Road
during specific periods.
School Lane not only provides access to
the School but also nine residential
properties accessed from Woodlands
Close, a cul-de-sac residential street.
Emergency vehicular access to the School
can be achieved via Claremont Road and
School Lane entrances, also via secure
gates adjacent to the School Gym
building.
The majority of students travel from Derbyshire, South Manchester and Cheshire, to
attend the School. A large catchment area means that there are many students who
come by car although the School is well served by transport links including Cheadle
Hulme train station, public bus routes as well as private student coach services.
Cheadle Hulme School Travel Plan | Page 4 (click here to return to Page 1)
Developing the Travel Plan
As the School has progressed and grown over the years, travel issues and habits have
evolved with each School year group. The Travel Plan published in 2009 was updated in
2010 and then in 2012 whilst the School made a number of improvements and changes
to travel principles/ procedures. These include:
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Bikeability cycle training course offered in 2010 (48 students) and increased cycle
storage installed in 2011.
2 new bus routes introduced in 2009 and 2010.
“Safe Scooter Licence Scheme” introduced in 2010 which included School Safe
Scooting Rules (70 scooter licences issued in that year).
Car-share scheme promoted since 2009 (details included in information packs
given out to new entrants).
Revised parking and on-site traffic flow for staff, visitors and parents.
Introduction of traffic marshals at peak times.
New coach drop off / pick up area with 16 bays available.
“Ride-to-Work Scheme” introduced in 2008 (36 staff members signed up so far).
This latest 2017 Plan has been developed by building on the best of the tried and tested
since 2007, making the most of what is now, and blending these with some new
initiatives to create a positive plan for future years.
It’s acknowledged that each year group can have its
own characteristics which provides CHS with
opportunities to explore new ways and develop
different ideas; so for this reason, the Travel Plan will
not be a one-off tactical document but a constantly
evolving strategy. For the purpose of setting targets
and review periods, this Travel Plan will be reviewed
annually and assessed fully in 2020.
The annual review of the Travel Plan will take
account of the results in the latest surveys.
This review will evaluate the current year's
progress against the targets and objectives
and targets and objectives will be adopted
for the following three years. Reviews and
updates to the Travel Plan will be reported to
a sub-Committee of the Board of Governors.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Senior Operations Manager, reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and supported
by the Estates Team, is the main driving force delivering the Travel Plan initiatives, and
is the champion to:
● promote and encourage the use of travel modes other than the car and to
promote the initiatives within the Travel Plan;
● provide a point of contact and travel information for students, staff,
parents/carers and visitors;
● ensure all relevant information is provided to interested parties and is
available for visitors to the School;
● arrange bi-annual travel surveys;
● provide a first point of contact with transport operators and travel planning
officers at Stockport MBC;
Cheadle Hulme School Travel Plan | Page 5 (click here to return to Page 1)
Consultation and Involvement
To understand travel patterns and to overcome a natural resistance to measures that
discourage car use, staff, students and parents have been included in the whole Travel
Plan development process.
Involving the CHS Community:
Students were asked how they normally travel to School through “hands-up” exercises in
2009, 2010, 2011 and in 2017. The results from 2011 showed that 83% of Junior
School pupils travelled to School by car; compared with 92% in 2017.
Following on from the parents’ travel survey in 2007, all parents were invited to provide
information on their travel routines in 2016; 57% of respondents still did not use the
student coach services as an option for travelling to School (even though 2 new routes
were introduced in 2009 and 2010). The survey identified that the primary source
through which parents find out about the services, is the School; although respondents
commented on their confusion about who is responsible for the service. Overall, parents
who responded to the survey are satisfied with the private student coach services.
Following on from a staff travel survey in 2007, in 2016, staff were surveyed again about
their choice of travel to work. 80.2% of those surveyed drove to work by themselves,
with only 5.2% car sharing and the remaining 14.6% using public transport, walking or
cycling. 74.5% of staff surveyed had no issues with parking on campus, but those who
did, referenced difficulties finding a space.
Involving the Local Community:
A local community group “Hulme Hall Area Neighbourhood Voice” was invited to give its
feedback and comments on the aims and initiatives early in 2017. The School values its
relationship with its neighbours and so the Neighbourhood Voice group provides a
respected contribution to and involvement with developing travel initiatives. Cheadle
Hulme School also has a self-select mailing list which includes local residents and
stakeholders – this mailing list will be used to send updates on initiatives and key travel
information.
The key travel issues arising from consultation:
The campus
can be very
congested
during the
daily “school
run”
Sixth Form
students driving
to School
contribute to
the volume of
traffic both on
and off campus
Parking on the
campus is
fragmented
and can easily
become
congested
Thoughtlessly
parked cars and
congestion
around the
surrounding
roads are a
frustration for
local residents
Cheadle Hulme School Travel Plan | Page 6 (click here to return to Page 1)
Promoting the Travel Plan
The Travel Plan will be made widely available to
staff, students, parents, visitors and local
residents, to ensure that the wider community
is fully aware of the objectives of the plan and
of the full range of measures proposed. The
Travel Plan will not be a one-off static event but
a constantly evolving process.
Objectives, Targets & Initiatives:
1.
Reduce the number of cars:
Aims:
 Reduce the number of cars at the
beginning and end of the School day.
 Encourage staff who live within 3 miles to
utilise alternative methods of transport,
where feasible.
 By 2020, increase the participation in carshare schemes from 5% to 15%.
 Create a pedestrian-friendly and vehiclefree central area to the School.
Action Plan:
→ Introduce personalised journey planning for staff to identify any barriers to
alternative transport, and to remove any perceived barriers.
→ Offer incentives to staff who live more than 3 miles away to choose alternative
modes of transport other than car.
→ Within staff induction / welcome packs, include public transport, walking and cycling
maps and local information to inform how staff choose to travel to School.
→ Include alternative travel information and options to parents and visitors.
→ Educate Sixth Formers (such as through driving and parking awareness courses)
about the use of travel modes other than the car.
→ Invite local community groups into School to educate Sixth Form students about the
impact irresponsible parking can have on the neighbourhood.
→ Continuous communication to parents to reinforce responsible parking initiatives.
→ Enhance car park protocols and “zoning” – in particular around event car parking.
→ Promote the car-sharing scheme through all-staff communications and webpages.
The aim is to keep the centre of the School campus pedestrianised, vehicle-free and a
safe play space for students throughout the day; this is achieved by automatic gates,
barriers and bollards at key entry and connecting points. The School has a 5 mph speed
limit in all areas and staff and visitors are asked to adhere to this speed limit at all times.
Campus parking facilities have developed over the years although there are limited
spaces allotted on site. The School has around 270 car parking spaces for all users, and
10 spaces designated for “car sharing”. If participation in car-sharing scheme increases,
more spaces will be designated for this scheme.
Cheadle Hulme School Travel Plan | Page 7 (click here to return to Page 1)
Standard parking zones are available in the:
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Claremont Road/Main Building car park (including visitor bays)
Gym car park – open year-round and available for community use
School Lane Entrance – including staff parking zone, parent park-and-walk zone,
drop-off and pick-up zone
Barn car park
To relieve the pressure on staff parking, staff who arrive early but leave School by
9.15am (e.g. Cleaning Services) are invited to park in the visitor spaces in the Main
Building car park providing they are vacated by 9.30am. Staff or associates who come in
after morning drop off time (8.45am) and leave before pick up (e.g. VMTs, Counsellors
etc.) can use the ‘parent park and walk' spaces at School Lane providing they are
vacated by 3pm.
Parents who drive their students to School each day benefit from improved parent dropoff arrangements at the School Lane entrance. These arrangements were finalised in the
Autumn Term in 2016 and although this area becomes quite congested at peak times,
there is improved vehicular through-flow. This entrance is controlled by speed bumps
and there are also new priority spaces for parents with toddlers. The use of School Lane
for evenings and weekend lettings allows for more direct access to the sports and letting
facilities, although parking can become full when other events are also taking place in
School.
Many Sixth Form students take and pass their driving test whilst still at School and it is
recognised that some will want to drive themselves to School, either regularly or
occasionally. Sixth Formers with a full licence are asked to complete a ‘Sixth Form Car
Drivers Form’ which should be returned with registration numbers for a School log. As a
strategy to discourage Sixth Form students from driving to School, Sixth Form students
are not permitted to park in School car parks, although feedback from the local
community suggests that they otherwise simply contribute to the congestion of parked
cars in neighbouring roads. Further work can be done to educate Sixth Formers about
the use of travel modes other than the car.
Parking can easily become congested during events such as Open Days and during
Saturday sporting events. The fragmented parking areas have an impact on the nature
and character of the campus by creating a complex and illogical arrival experience for
those visiting the School. To facilitate the traffic flow and relieve some pressure on
parking, several protocols have been established to operate the school-run, weekend
sports and events throughout the week. As spaces cannot always be guaranteed, car
sharing, coach travel, cycling, or travel by public transport wherever possible is
encouraged.
There are accessible spaces in the Main Building car park and drivers must display a Blue
Badge in order to park in these spaces. Those who, whilst not a Blue Badge Holder, for
other reasons require similar assistance can request support.
Cheadle Hulme School Travel Plan | Page 8 (click here to return to Page 1)
Delivery vehicles are directed to the
Claremont Road Main Entrance and are
permitted to enter the vehicle-free areas
(to deliver to the kitchens for example,)
until 7.30am when students start arriving.
After this time, they must be escorted by a
member of staff to allow students, staff
and
visitors
to
walk
through
the
pedestrianised areas safely and efficiently.
Contractors are not allowed to park in the
vehicle-free areas during term-time, unless
agreed by the Senior Operations Manager
and a day permit is displayed.
The 5 mph speed limit must be adhered to at all times.
The School does not accept liability for any vehicles or contents parked on the site.
Cheadle Hulme School Travel Plan | Page 9 (click here to return to Page 1)
2.
Increase the use of Student Coach Services
As part of the strategy to removing barriers, both perceived and actual, to using coach
services for School journeys, the School has begun working more closely with the
operators to establish a service level agreement and address key concerns from existing
parents.
Aims:
 Increase use of coach services from
43% to 60% by 2020.
 Decrease dissatisfaction rates about
the overall service provided, by
100% by 2020.
 Improve information about the
services provided (including routes,
costs and service levels).
Action Plan:
→ Continue to establish a service level agreement with the operators and will keep
these under review during each year.
→ Continue to work closely with the operators and build better links by inviting them
to participate in key events (such as Open Days and Parents Evenings).
→ Provide information and opportunities to allow parents/carers to understand the
benefits of using student coach services, such as reducing stress and time spent
in traffic.
→ Make the experience of using student coach services over using a car more
convenient by exploring additional facilities at the Coach Area to remove
perceived barriers. Such facilities may include a covered waiting area or seating.
There is a comprehensive coach network offered by Elite Coaches, which the School
recommends as a way for most of the senior students to travel to School. There is a late
service operated by Elite coaches which goes to Wilmslow, Hale, Bowdon and Altrincham,
departing Cheadle Hulme School at 5.15pm. All services are operated independently of
Cheadle Hulme School and the arrangements are made directly between parents/carers
and their preferred service provider.
These services currently terminate either on the Cheadle Hulme School site (via the
School Lane access) or at Hulme Hall Grammar School, with students walking along
Heathbank Road and onto the school site. Once in Cheadle Hulme School site there is a
Coach Drop-Off/Pick-Up Area. Following news of Hulme Hall Grammar School relocating,
the drop-off and pick-up locations will be reviewed.
The key principles underpinning the evaluation of student coach services are:
✓ Student Safety
✓ Student and Parent / Carer Experience
Cheadle Hulme School Travel Plan | Page 10 (click here to return to Page 1)
Coach Drop-Off/Pick-Up Area - A Guide to Usage:
The Coach Drop-off/Pick-Up Area off School Lane has 16 vehicle bays and can
only be used for the provision of drop-off and collection by coach / bus / minibus
(i.e. no cars).
The principles are to facilitate travel to/from the School at the start and finish of
the School day (during term-time); and to develop an effective and safe system
for students and visitors to be dropped off by coach and picked up - before and
after events.
Coaches may wait in the Area to pick up, but should not park for the entire day
(8am-6pm) or for prolonged periods of time. Students’ health and safety is
paramount so idling is not permitted - coaches must switch off their engines
whilst waiting in the Coach Drop-off & Pick-Up Area.
Students board the coaches from a designated pathway - there is no requirement
for students to cross the coach drop off area. Coaches primarily use bays 1 - 12
but bays 13 - 16 can also be accessed from the same pathway.
The Coach Drop-off/Pick-Up Area must not be used before 8am or after 6pm on
any day.
During term-time, two members of the Estates team direct traffic flow (including
coaches) and supervise pedestrian safety at School Lane during the “School run”
(between 8am-8.45am and 3pm-4pm). A Duty Rota of teachers is in place
between 3.30pm-4pm to accompany students to the Coach Drop-off/Pick-Up Area,
checking that they follow the safe routes, supervise students safely onto the
coaches and wait on duty until the coaches leave the School.
The School Duty Caretaker supervises a late bus service at 5.15pm from the
Coach Drop-off/Pick-Up Area.
The Coach Drop-off/Pick-Up Area has a vehicle gate with signposts for coaches,
and a pedestrian gate which is automatically open between 8am and 6pm.
Students leave the coach drop off onto a safe path that takes them all the way
into School. They exit at the end of the School day using this same path.
The traffic flow area has dedicated crossing points and a walkway adjacent to the
Lockhart building for students being dropped off by car in the drop off zone. The
fencing between DT/Lockhart is closed until after 4pm to prevent students
flooding across the parking area.
There are CCTV cameras at the Coach Drop-off/Pick-Up Area and an appropriate
lighting scheme using a dark/light sensor until 6pm. There is also enhanced
dark/light sensor lighting in the traffic flow areas.
Please note that there should be bespoke plans agreed for managing events and
sporting fixtures.
Cheadle Hulme School Travel Plan | Page 11 (click here to return to Page 1)
3.
Increase cycling, and make it safer:
Aims:
 Increase the number of students who
live less than 10 minutes a School
cycling.
 Increase the number of students
feeling safe and confident cycling to
School.
 Improve the facilities to encourage
more staff to cycle to work.
Cheadle Hulme School provides modern, varied and enjoyable options of sport and
physical exercise to all students and an active lifestyle is at the core of the School’s cocurricular experience. Claremont Road is identified as an on-road cycle route / advisory /
quiet route which connects the School to the wider cycle network via Upton Avenue on to
traffic free cycle routes through Bruntwood Park to Cheadle and Heald Green. Other
surrounding residential streets are suitable routes for cyclists, as they are generally
lightly trafficked and have low vehicle speeds.
The School campus has the benefit of cycle parking facilities, including a purpose built
cycle store outside the Netball courts that can accommodate around 20 bikes/scooters
and 5 hoops outside Staff House which can accommodate a further 10 bikes. It is
considered that the cycle parking spaces are under-utilised, generally because they are
not in a convenient location for students. Scooter parks are also available in the Junior
School playground to encourage sustainable travel for younger students and students
when accompanying parents/carers walking to School.
There are some showers facilities available in the Gym, Swim, Staff House and Pavilion –
although access and operation of these facilities is not widely understood across the
School.
Action Plan:
→ Set up a website page with information on active, sustainable transport and use
this point of reference to showcase the benefits of active, sustainable transport.
→ Evaluate the provision of cycle storage and shower facilities, with the view to
relocating along with bag storage options and to be in a convenient place for
entry to School.
→ To promote safe cycling, staff and students will continue to be offered Bikeability
cyclist training to understand the principles for better and safer cycling.
→ Termly “Cycle to School” days will be set up to potentially remove perceived
barriers to cycling.
→ Promote scooter licences and reward charts for Junior School students to
encourage them to scooter to School.
Cheadle Hulme School Travel Plan | Page 12 (click here to return to Page 1)
The aim of the walking and
cycling plans are to provide
information and opportunities to
inform the School community on
how they might safely to School.
4.
Increase walking, and make it safer:
Aims:
 Increase the number of students
feeling safe walking to School.
 Promote the benefits of walking to
School.
The School does have a large catchment area beyond walkable distance but as it is
situated in a suburban residential area there are still many who walk to School. Those
who walk, mainly use Claremont Road which has standard width lit footways which
connect with the footways on Heathbank Road and Hulme Hall Road. The School has
formal pedestrian access routes from Claremont Road, the Gym car park/Broomefield
and School Lane which have fair levels of passive surveillance; allowing staff, students
and visitors easy and safe access onto the campus from the surrounding area.
In the 2007 survey the main reason that parents/carers gave for their child not walking
to School was “it’s too far or it takes too long” but other factors were that “the roads are
too busy and/or traffic too fast.” Whilst trying to make the ‘school run’ as convenient as
possible, the School’s priority is to ensure students’ safety. There are already 2 School
crossing patrols on Hulme Hall Road.
Action Plan:
→ Set up a webpage with information on safe walking routes to School, to improve
awareness of surroundings as well as pedestrian safety skills.
→ Invite local community groups to build safety surveillance system routes around
the main pathways into School; reassuring students and parents of vigilance.
→ Park and Stride scheme will be promoted (parents will be encouraged to park at a
local free car park, and walk the little extra distance to School), as well as termly
WOW (Walk Once a Week) schemes and car-free day campaigns; to encourage
staff to experience the benefits of walking to work.
→ Lockers will be provided to store a change of shoes or high visibility clothes.
→ Some existing layouts of pathways within the School grounds are inefficient in
their layout design, and in some instances are too narrow to accommodate
pedestrian flows and wheelchair users (e.g. Broomefield). Circulation routes will
be incorporated in an Estates Masterplan to improve the pedestrian experience.
→ Continue to strengthen the pedestrian character of the campus by relocating the
minibus parking and removing vehicular road markings to allow the play spaces
to feel entirely pedestrianised.
Cheadle Hulme School Travel Plan | Page 13 (click here to return to Page 1)
5.
Increase the use of public trains:
Aims:
 Increase the students using trains to
travel to School.
 Improve the links from the train
station to School.
Cheadle Hulme railway station, which is on the Manchester Piccadilly to Crewe & Stokeon-Trent rail lines, is approximately a 900m walk from the School; students are known
to use the Crewe-Manchester, Stoke-Manchester and Buxton–Manchester train lines.
With the railway station being well within the accepted 2km walk and 5km cycle
distances from the School it is realistic to expect staff, students and visitors to walk or
cycle to access these train services. However, it is generally thought that not many
students or staff use this option – possibly because of the narrow, shady and quiet
pathways. It is noted to be a cheaper option than using the private student coach
services.
The 42B and 313 public bus services routes go via Cheadle Hulme rail station on a 2
buses/hour frequency, but the nearest commercial bus stops to the School are located
on Church Road and Gillbent Road at the three-armed roundabout junction. These stops
are 350m from the School Lane entrance to the School, a 4½ minute walk from the main
school entrance. Although these bus stops fall within the recommended walking distance
from School and the pedestrian routes to these stops are lit continuous footways, it’s
generally thought to be inconvenient. Feedback from the pay-as-you-go coach services
operated through the School is that the 8.20am pick up is not very well used.
Action Plan:
→ The School will work with coach operators to explore the viability of a frequent
shuttle bus from the rail station to School and promote this as a convenient staff
and student travel option.
→ The School will request Community Police patrols, and explore Walking Bus or
alternative supervision along the pathways to the railway station to make this
route feel safer.
The aim of the public trains’ plan is to
provide economical, green and convenient
opportunities
to
travel
to
School,
accompanied by informing the School
community on how they might then safely
walk or cycle to School if not using a shuttle
bus service.
Cheadle Hulme School Travel Plan | Page 14 (click here to return to Page 1)
Summary of Objectives, Targets and Initiatives
1. Reduce the number of cars
Aims:
● Reduce the number of cars at the
beginning and end of the School day.
● Encourage staff who live within 3 miles
to utilise alternative methods of
transport, where feasible.
● By 2020, increase the participation in
car-share schemes from 5% to 15%.
● Create a pedestrian-friendly and
vehicle-free central area to the School.
2. Increase the use of School Coaches
Aims:
● Increase use of student coach services
from 43% to 60% by 2020.
● Decrease dissatisfaction rates about the
overall service provided, by 100% by
2020.
● Improve information about the services
provided (including routes, costs and
service levels).
Action Plan:
→ Introduce personalised journey planning for staff to identify any barriers to alternative transport, and
to remove any perceived barriers.
→ Offer incentives to staff who live more than 3 miles away to choose alternative modes of transport
other than car.
→ Within staff induction / welcome packs, include public transport, walking and cycling maps and local
information to inform how staff choose to travel to School.
→ Include alternative travel information and options to parents and visitors.
→ Educate Sixth Formers (such as through driving and parking awareness courses) about the use of
travel modes other than the car.
→ Invite local community groups into School to educate Sixth Form students about the impact
irresponsible parking can have on the neighbourhood.
→ Continuous communication to parents to reinforce responsible parking initiatives.
→ Enhance car park protocols and “zoning” – in particular around event car parking.
→ Promote the car-sharing scheme through all-staff communications and webpages.
Action Plan:
→ Continue to establish a service level agreement with the operators and will keep these under review
during each year.
→ Continue to work closely with the operators and build better links by inviting them to participate in
key events (such as Open Days and Parents Evenings).
→ Provide information and opportunities to allow parents/carers to understand the benefits of using
student coach services, such as reducing stress and time spent in traffic.
→ Make the experience of using student coach services over using a car more convenient by exploring
additional facilities at the Coach Area to remove perceived barriers. Such facilities may include a
covered waiting area or seating.
Cheadle Hulme School Travel Plan | Page 15 (click here to return to Page 1)
2. Increase cycling, and make it safer
Aims:
● Increase the number of students who
live less than 10 minutes from School
cycling.
● Increase the number of students feeling
safe and confident cycling to School.
● Improve the facilities to encourage
more staff to cycle to work.
3. Increase walking, and make it safer
Aims:
● Increase the number of students feeling
safe walking to School.
● Promote the benefits of walking to
School.
4. Increase the use of public trains
Aims:
● Increase the students using trains to
travel to School.
● Improve the links from the train station
to School
Action Plan:
→ Set up a website page with information on active, sustainable transport and use this point of
reference to showcase the benefits of active, sustainable transport.
→ Evaluate the provision of cycle storage and shower facilities, with the view to relocating along with
bag storage options and to be in a convenient place for entry to School.
→ To promote safe cycling, staff and students will continue to be offered Bikeability cyclist training to
understand the principles for better and safer cycling.
→ Termly “Cycle to School” days will be set up to potentially remove perceived barriers to cycling.
→ Promote scooter licences and reward charts for Junior School students to encourage them to scooter
to School.
Action Plan:
→ Set up a webpage with information on safe walking routes to School, to improve awareness of
surroundings as well as pedestrian safety skills.
→ Invite local community groups to build safety surveillance system routes around the main pathways
into School; reassuring students and parents of vigilance.
→ Park and Stride scheme will be promoted (parents will be encouraged to park at a local free car park,
and walk the little extra distance to School), as well as termly WOW (Walk Once a Week) schemes
and car-free day campaigns; to encourage staff to experience the benefits of walking to work.
→ Lockers will be provided to store a change of shoes or high visibility clothes.
→ Some existing layouts of pathways within the School grounds are inefficient in their layout design,
and in some instances are too narrow to accommodate pedestrian flows and wheelchair users (e.g.
Broomefield). Circulation routes will be incorporated in an Estates Masterplan to improve the
pedestrian experience.
→ Continue to strengthen the pedestrian character of the campus by relocating the minibus parking and
removing vehicular road markings to allow the play spaces to feel entirely pedestrianised.
Action Plan:
→ The School will work with coach operators to explore the viability of a frequent shuttle bus from the
rail station to School and promote this as a convenient staff and student travel option.
→ The School will request Community Police patrols, and explore Walking Bus or alternative supervision
along the pathways to the railway station to make this route feel safer.
Cheadle Hulme School Travel Plan | Page 16 (click here to return to Page 1)
Feedback or Queries
The Senior Operations Manager, is the main driving force delivering the Travel Plan
initiatives. If you would like to query anything within the plan, or feedback about any of
the arrangements or schemes please get in touch.
Mr Martyn Mancey-Johnson
Senior Operations Manager
Cheadle Hulme School
Claremont Road
Cheadle Hulme
Cheshire, SK8 6EF
0161 488 3336 | 07535 579 559
[email protected]
This document is uploaded to www.cheadlehulmeschool.co.uk/why-chs/travellingcheadle-hulme-school but if you would like a printed copy please contact the Senior
Operations Manager.
Cheadle Hulme School Travel Plan | Page 17 (click here to return to Page 1)