Our growing use of cars has caused a variety of environmental, social and health impacts especially with emissions from travel being one of the fastest growing contributors to climate change.

We have suggested some simple steps to help pupils, parents, teachers and staff work together to travel more sustainably and raise awareness of important transport issues.

Sustainable School Transport projects

School Travel Plans:

School travel plans aim to encourage schools to identify and solve problems associated with the school journey, especially those relating to safety, and they encourage sustainable forms of transport reducing congestion and pollution outside schools.

A school travel plan works by looking in detail at the children’s needs on the school journey. Parents, governors, teachers, pupils and the local authority work together to find the right solutions for their school. A school travel plan can be geared towards the needs or a primary or secondary school.

Walking Buses:

A walking bus is a safe, healthy and environmentally friendly approach to walking large groups of children to and from school whilst alleviating school run traffic congestion.

Cycle trains:

Cycle trains are an extension of the walking bus scheme with the train starting from a certain location and picking up pupils on a safe route to school.

National Walk to School Weeks/ Months:

The Walk to School Campaign asks parents, pupils and teachers to think about their journey to and from school and the many benefits of making it on foot.

Each year two nationally recognised events are organised: International Walk to School Week and National Walk to School Week, to encourage people to walk to school as an everyday activity.

About 50% of children don’t walk to school regularly and more and more pupils are being driven to school in a car. This trend is contributing to reduced physical activity and increased childhood obesity, urban congestion and pollution.

For more information visit walktoschool.org.uk

Sustainable Transport Support & Advice

For support and advice on sustainable school transport in the Caerphilly County Borough please contact:

Susan Davies, School Travel Plan Coordinator, CCBC
Tel: 01495 235402, Email: DAVIES15@caerphilly.gov.uk

Case Studies

Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Caerffili, Walking Bus (PDF, 55Kb)
Markham Walking Bus, Taking steps to cut congestion (PDF, 501Kb)

Top Tips for sustainable school transport

Develop a School Travel Plan
Implement a road safety awareness programme for pupils
Map pupils routes to school and collate onto one large map
Discuss the impact of different modes of transport and their impact on the environment
Undertake a green transport survey
Run cycle proficiency training
Set up a walking bus or cycle train

Funding

No funding information at present.

Remember to check out the bimonthly theme on the Sustainable Living pages and make a pledge to make a difference and achieve a more sustainable future.