Safer Journeys to School
'Safer Journeys to School' is a national initiative where
local councils work intensively with specific schools to develop
their school travel plan, and support them in reducing car use on
the school run and creating safer walking, cycling and bus routes
in to the school.
Peterborough has been running a Safer Journeys to School
scheme since 1999. The project is currently financed by
Peterborough City Council Environmental Services, European
Commission Urban II funding, and the Greater Peterborough Primary
Care Partnership.
Each school commits to working with the City Council for two
years to develop its school travel plan. As part of this process
schools:
- Set up a working group to guide the school travel plan process
- Carry out parent and pupil questionnaires to identify problem areas
- Identify and introduce 'soft' and 'hard' measures to solve their problems
- Include learning about travel and the journey to school in lesson time
- Promote their new school journey initiatives
- Monitor change in modes of travel
The Safer Journeys to School team guide the school through the
school travel plan process, provide teaching resources and
equipment, and support the school in setting up its soft measures,
such as walking buses or walking and cycling incentive schemes. The
Safer Journeys to School team also work across the Council to
provide the hard measures required and link in to complimentary
services the Council offers, e.g. pedestrian training for Reception
class children and the Safer Cycling scheme for Year 6
pupils.
Hard measures could include:
- Improvements to cycle parking in school
- Improvements to footpaths/cycle ways connecting to school
- Safer crossing areas on busy roads
- 20mph zones around the school
- Parking restrictions around the school
Once the initial two-year project is complete the school then
carries out a survey every May, in order to monitor progress. The
school can then internally review the school travel plan if
necessary, to readdress areas of continued concern.
Since Peterborough City Council began its Safer Journeys to
School project it has worked with 25 schools. Currently six schools
are accepted on to the project each year. Applications, which
include a travel survey, must be submitted by the end of the autumn
term. Applications are assessed against set criteria and successful
schools begin the project at the end of the following spring term.
To find out more about applying to the project this year contact
the School Travel Plan Co-ordinator.
Peterborough Schools Involved in 'Safer Journeys to School'
Abbotsmede
Primary
An urban school. The school gate and surrounding fencing has been replaced to create two pedestrian entrances which are separate from the vehicle access. Cycle storage is due to be installed.
An urban school. The school gate and surrounding fencing has been replaced to create two pedestrian entrances which are separate from the vehicle access. Cycle storage is due to be installed.
Barnack Primary,
Barnack
A village school. An unsafe pedestrian access staircase is being demolished and replaced with a pedestrian and cycle access ramp. Cycle storage is due to be installed.
A village school. An unsafe pedestrian access staircase is being demolished and replaced with a pedestrian and cycle access ramp. Cycle storage is due to be installed.
Braybrook
Primary
This school is new to the project. For more information on current status of work please contact the School Travel Plan Co-ordinator.
This school is new to the project. For more information on current status of work please contact the School Travel Plan Co-ordinator.
Dogsthorpe Infant
& Junior Schools
Two urban primary schools sharing one site. Both schools are having new pedestrian/cycle gates installed. These will lead to new cycle storage and pupil entrances across on-site pedestrian crossings. Work is to be done at the junction of Central and Sycamore Avenues to prevent irresponsible parking. The Infant School is also successfully running a walking bus.
Two urban primary schools sharing one site. Both schools are having new pedestrian/cycle gates installed. These will lead to new cycle storage and pupil entrances across on-site pedestrian crossings. Work is to be done at the junction of Central and Sycamore Avenues to prevent irresponsible parking. The Infant School is also successfully running a walking bus.
Duke of Bedford Primary,
Thorney
A village school. The length of a footpath has been extended to connect to a local housing estate. Traffic calming measures for Sandpit Road slow traffic and give priority to school traffic. Parking restrictions were introduced around the school.
A village school. The length of a footpath has been extended to connect to a local housing estate. Traffic calming measures for Sandpit Road slow traffic and give priority to school traffic. Parking restrictions were introduced around the school.
Eyrescroft
Primary
A suburban school situated in a cul-de-sac. A speed hump was installed at the school entrance as a traffic calming measure. A pedestrian refuge introduced on Highholmes roundabout helps pedestrians crossing the mouth of the junction on their way to school, and a footpath has been built to link up this journey to a local housing estate.
A suburban school situated in a cul-de-sac. A speed hump was installed at the school entrance as a traffic calming measure. A pedestrian refuge introduced on Highholmes roundabout helps pedestrians crossing the mouth of the junction on their way to school, and a footpath has been built to link up this journey to a local housing estate.
Highlees
Primary
This school is new to the project. For more information on current status of work please contact the School Travel Plan Co-ordinator.
This school is new to the project. For more information on current status of work please contact the School Travel Plan Co-ordinator.
Marshfields
School
This school is new to the project. For more information on current status of work please contact the School Travel Plan Co-ordinator.
This school is new to the project. For more information on current status of work please contact the School Travel Plan Co-ordinator.
Matley Primary
This school is new to the project. For more information on current status of work please contact the School Travel Plan Co-ordinator.
This school is new to the project. For more information on current status of work please contact the School Travel Plan Co-ordinator.
Newark Hill
Primary
An urban school. Dropped kerbs have been installed to help parents with pushchairs cross the road outside the school. Work is planned for Guilden Burgh Avenue to prevent irresponsible parking. Cycle storage is due to be installed.
An urban school. Dropped kerbs have been installed to help parents with pushchairs cross the road outside the school. Work is planned for Guilden Burgh Avenue to prevent irresponsible parking. Cycle storage is due to be installed.
Northborough
Primary, Northborough
A village school. The project has introduced a footpath across the school field, linking to a housing estate at the back of the school. The project has also facilitated cycle storage.
A village school. The project has introduced a footpath across the school field, linking to a housing estate at the back of the school. The project has also facilitated cycle storage.
Orton Longueville
Comprehensive & St Botolph's Primary
Suburban schools on a shared site. As a result of the project advisory cycle lanes have been introduced on Oundle Road. Cycle storage has been installed at both schools, along with the introduction of the Safer Cycling scheme to St Botolph's. A safety camera has been installed in front of the school entrance, and a nearby pedestrian crossing has been upgraded to a toucan crossing. A footpath has been built across the field at the back of St Botolph's Primary, linking to Orton Hall car park. Alterations have also taken place at the site entrance, to prevent obstructive parking.
Suburban schools on a shared site. As a result of the project advisory cycle lanes have been introduced on Oundle Road. Cycle storage has been installed at both schools, along with the introduction of the Safer Cycling scheme to St Botolph's. A safety camera has been installed in front of the school entrance, and a nearby pedestrian crossing has been upgraded to a toucan crossing. A footpath has been built across the field at the back of St Botolph's Primary, linking to Orton Hall car park. Alterations have also taken place at the site entrance, to prevent obstructive parking.
Orton Wistow
Primary
A suburban school. Work is beginning on a traffic calming scheme for Wistow Way, part funded by the Safer Journeys to School project. This will include pedestrian refuges to slow traffic and make crossing the road safer for pedestrians. Double yellow lines will restrict parking outside the school during key times in the morning and afternoon. Cycle storage is due to be installed.
A suburban school. Work is beginning on a traffic calming scheme for Wistow Way, part funded by the Safer Journeys to School project. This will include pedestrian refuges to slow traffic and make crossing the road safer for pedestrians. Double yellow lines will restrict parking outside the school during key times in the morning and afternoon. Cycle storage is due to be installed.
Queen's Drive
Infants
An urban school. Three Walking Buses were launched. The timing of pedestrian crossing facilities at two signalised crossings have been shortened to reduce the waiting time for pedestrians to cross the road. A zebra crossing is to be installed on Dogsthorpe Road.
An urban school. Three Walking Buses were launched. The timing of pedestrian crossing facilities at two signalised crossings have been shortened to reduce the waiting time for pedestrians to cross the road. A zebra crossing is to be installed on Dogsthorpe Road.
Ravensthorpe
Primary
This school is new to the project. For more information on current status of work please contact the School Travel Plan Co-ordinator.
This school is new to the project. For more information on current status of work please contact the School Travel Plan Co-ordinator.
St John Fisher RC School
& St Thomas More RC Primary
Urban schools on a shared site. A footpath is currently being designed to provide alternative pedestrian access to the school site from Reeves Way.
Urban schools on a shared site. A footpath is currently being designed to provide alternative pedestrian access to the school site from Reeves Way.
Thorpe Primary
A suburban school. Two puffin crossings have been installed outside the school as part of a child safety scheme. Cycle storage has also been installed by the project.
A suburban school. Two puffin crossings have been installed outside the school as part of a child safety scheme. Cycle storage has also been installed by the project.
Werrington
Primary
This school is new to the project. For more information on current status of work please contact the School Travel Plan Co-ordinator.
This school is new to the project. For more information on current status of work please contact the School Travel Plan Co-ordinator.
William Law C of E
Primary
A village school. A footpath leading to the school has been widened and become a shared footpath / cycle way. Cycle storage has been installed and signage and road markings have been introduced as a traffic calming method.
A village school. A footpath leading to the school has been widened and become a shared footpath / cycle way. Cycle storage has been installed and signage and road markings have been introduced as a traffic calming method.
Wittering Primary,
Wittering
A village school. A large percentage of children were already walking when the school joined the project. The project has provided a bus-parking bay outside the school.
A village school. A large percentage of children were already walking when the school joined the project. The project has provided a bus-parking bay outside the school.
Contact Details
School Travel Plan Coordinator
Peterborough City Council
Environment and Community Services
Midgate House
Midgate
Peterborough
PE1 1TN