Sustainable Modes of Travel Strategy Update

Leicestershire County Council’s strategy to promote the use of sustainable modes of travel to school has been developed in response to the Education and Inspections Act 2006. It complements and supports other statutory duties, set out in Appendix 1 (PDF).

The Sustainable Modes of Travel Strategy (SMoTS) sits within the wider Local Transport Plan 3 Implementation Plan 2011-2026 covering travel for recreation and other purposes. In focusing and co-ordinating project actions that deliver sustainable, healthy and safer travel, we will work together with schools, colleges, parents, governors, the police, council road safety teams, Public Health and transport providers.

Such actions and the assessment of general school travel needs are guided by an evidence-based approach as set out in  Appendix 2 (PDF).

 

Implementation

The SMoTS will be implemented by a tiered approach as illustrated approve:

Universal

Universal approach used to promote Sustainable Travel:

• Modeshifts Stars (Sustainable Travel Accreditation and Recognition for Schools programme) is a national school awards scheme to recognise schools demonstrating excellence in supporting cycling, walking and other forms of sustainable travel. Schools can be awarded with a Bronze, Silver or Gold star if they choose to participate in the scheme. The scheme is completely free and schools will also be provided with a new national standard Travel Plan from Modeshift STARS.

Targeted

There are a number of targeted approaches which is used to promote Sustainable Travel:

• JRSO (Junior Road Safety Officers) is a scheme run in Leicestershire primary schools; these officers will act as a Sustainable Travel role model to their peers to encourage students to act responsibly on or near roads; to increase road safety awareness for everyone in school.
• Leicestershire County Council (LCC) has collaborated with Leicestershire and Rutland Sport (LRS) to work with primary schools across the county to support and promote active forms of travel and decrease school gate congestion. Schools are targeted within their districts based on their obesity rates, ward levels and using historic accident data. These targeted schools will receive additional support to help achieve the Modeshift STARS Bronze Award and also will be provided with a school travel plan to help promote the health benefits of active travel.
• Collaboration on walking initiatives, where the evidence shows the greatest potential for reducing the number of car journeys
• Free National cycle training is available for school children aged 9-14.
• Working with schools and colleges to find ways to solve problems on the surrounding highway network. Schools with the highest numbers of cars carrying children within these areas will be prioritised for help.
• Ensuring school transport is as safe as possible, by working with and supporting students, bus companies, school staff and parents.

Specialist

Specialist Implementation and support for Sustainable Travel may include:

• Adult cycling courses are also available to help benefit school staff and parents
• Choose How You Move also has a car scheme which is encouraged and advice is provided to schools and colleges wishing to run this scheme.
• Leicestershire County Council also promotes the Better Points App; this is a free app which helps to track sustainable forms of travel. Whether this be walking, cycling or using public transport such as the Bus. Each sustainable journey made accumulates points; these points can then be generated into awards such as Highstreet vouchers.

Summary

Our Current Sustainable Models of Travel Strategy consists of ‘Universal’ (Modeshift STARS Programme), ‘Targeted’ (JRSO and LRS collaboration) and ‘Specialist’ (BetterPoints App and car sharing) Interventions to help promote and raise awareness for active Travel. Many of these implementations have been successful and have benefited many schools across the county, with the help of the Choose How you Move scheme and Modeshift Stars programme. LCC will continue to provide this specialist support and innovative ideas to further benefit the county and increase active travel.

 

The overall aim of the strategy is to increase the proportion of children and young people using more sustainable modes of transport and reducing dependence on the private car for school travel, recreational activities and going about their daily lives.

Implementation

The SMoTS will be implemented by a tiered approach as illustrated approve:

Universal

Universal approach used to promote Sustainable Travel:

• Modeshifts Stars (Sustainable Travel Accreditation and Recognition for Schools programme) is a national school awards scheme to recognise schools demonstrating excellence in supporting cycling, walking and other forms of sustainable travel. Schools can be awarded with a Bronze, Silver or Gold star if they choose to participate in the scheme. The scheme is completely free and schools will also be provided with a new national standard Travel Plan from Modeshift STARS.

Targeted

There are a number of targeted approaches which is used to promote Sustainable Travel:

• JRSO (Junior Road Safety Officers) is a scheme run in Leicestershire primary schools; these officers will act as a Sustainable Travel role model to their peers to encourage students to act responsibly on or near roads; to increase road safety awareness for everyone in school.
• Leicestershire County Council (LCC) has collaborated with Leicestershire and Rutland Sport (LRS) to work with primary schools across the county to support and promote active forms of travel and decrease school gate congestion. Schools are targeted within their districts based on their obesity rates, ward levels and using historic accident data. These targeted schools will receive additional support to help achieve the Modeshift STARS Bronze Award and also will be provided with a school travel plan to help promote the health benefits of active travel.
• Collaboration on walking initiatives, where the evidence shows the greatest potential for reducing the number of car journeys
• Free National cycle training is available for school children aged 9-14.
• Working with schools and colleges to find ways to solve problems on the surrounding highway network. Schools with the highest numbers of cars carrying children within these areas will be prioritised for help.
• Ensuring school transport is as safe as possible, by working with and supporting students, bus companies, school staff and parents.

Specialist

Specialist Implementation and support for Sustainable Travel may include:

• Adult cycling courses are also available to help benefit school staff and parents
• Choose How You Move also has a car scheme which is encouraged and advice is provided to schools and colleges wishing to run this scheme.
• Leicestershire County Council also promotes the Better Points App; this is a free app which helps to track sustainable forms of travel. Whether this be walking, cycling or using public transport such as the Bus. Each sustainable journey made accumulates points; these points can then be generated into awards such as Highstreet vouchers.

Summary

Our Current Sustainable Models of Travel Strategy consists of ‘Universal’ (Modeshift STARS Programme), ‘Targeted’ (JRSO and LRS collaboration) and ‘Specialist’ (BetterPoints App and car sharing) Interventions to help promote and raise awareness for active Travel. Many of these implementations have been successful and have benefited many schools across the county, with the help of the Choose How you Move scheme and Modeshift Stars programme. LCC will continue to provide this specialist support and innovative ideas to further benefit the county and increase active travel.