School travel plan toolkit
This toolkit aims to provide schools with all the information and resources you need to plan, write and deliver your travel plan.
The toolkit is suitable for both primary and secondary schools.
It includes:
- A guide to creating and implementing a school travel plan
- School travel plan template - A template travel plan for you to fill in
- Links to schemes that you can include in your plan
Purpose of a school travel plan
A school travel plan is a practical plan used by schools to:
- Reduce the number of vehicle trips to a school site by encouraging and/or developing alternative travel options
- Raise awareness about travel issues such as air pollution and road safety
Benefits of a travel plan for your school
The main emphasis is on reducing the number of children being driven to and from your school. This in turn will:
- Help reduce traffic congestion and parking problems outside the school
- Mean fewer vehicles near the school, which will improve road safety, improve air quality and make it a nicer environment for pupils, residents and parents.
- Encourage pupils to walk and cycle to school, which will help improve their physical and mental wellbeing. It will also aid their development through closer connection to and heightened awareness of their local area.
- Help reduce car use for journeys to school, which will reduce carbon emissions
Create and implement a travel plan
- Download the school travel plan template and
- Read our practical guide to completing the template to create a travel plan for your school
For further advice on creating and implementing a school travel plan, contact Sustainability & Climate Change team at move@herefordshire.gov.uk
School travel plan schemes
There are many existing schemes that can support your school travel plan. Choose those suitable for your action plan.
Active travel
Book a cycle training course for your pupils
- Bikeright are our appointed provider for Herefordshire Council. You can contact them on their website to book a course for your school. Visit our Free cycle lessons and Bikeability training page for more information on cycle training courses for pupils
Book a Dr Bike mechanic to come to your school to fix pupils’ bikes
- Availability is limited but contact Bikeright to see if there is a mechanic available to come to your school.
Book pedestrian road safety training for your pupils
- To book your pedestrian road safety training course email roadsafety@herefordshire.gov.uk. To arrange a visit to your school or find more information visit road safety training in primary schools.
Recommend walking and cycling routes across the county
- View recommended walking and cycling routes you can promote to pupils and parents
Get involved in national campaigns such as Walk to School Week
- Contact Stride Active - emma@strideactive.org to get involved with Herefordshire’s Walk to school activities
Help pupils access recycled bikes
Bus
Arrange bus transport for your pupils
Parents typically arrange transport to school for their children. You can direct them to information on school transport and how to apply for school transport and to our home to school transport policy.
Streets and traffic
Address problems with speeding cars past your school
- There are a number of ways to influence the speed of vehicles and to undertake speed enforcement. You will need to link in with the local Council member and parish council, to bring forward a consensus on what is needed to address issues across the wider local area. Please visit the following web pages for information:
- Reduce a speed limit
- How Parishes can access a speed indicator
Keep up to date with support for setting up school streets
- We are currently looking at the best way forward to support schools in delivering school streets. Once this is complete we will promote this to schools directly.
Know how to report problems on the roads that affect journeys to school
- To deal with issues such as carriageway, street lighting or barrier defects, or faded road markings, please report it online.
- If the issue is an emergency, and of immediate safety concern, please call (01432) 261800
Arrange a school crossing patrol for your school
- Visit our school crossing patrols page for guidance
Lesson plans and curriculum links
Include examples of lesson ideas in your travel plan
Staff travel
Sign up your school for travel support for staff
- You can sign up your school with the Travel for Work Network. View further information on the support to employers.
- The Cycle to Work scheme is designed to help your staff save money on a bike and spread the cost over monthly tax-free instalments.
If your staff are on Herefordshire Council's payroll, then there is already a scheme up and running for your staff. Contact move@herefordshire.gov.uk
If your staff are not on the Council payroll, your school can set up its own cycle to work scheme. Contact move@herefordshire.gov.uk for advice.