feature: Schools walk the walk
5 February 2008
There are more schools in Haringey with approved School Travel Plans than any other London borough. This improves safety on the roads and creates a better environment.
There’s a familiar sight around schools across the country on weekday mornings.
Dozens of cars jostle for spaces as parents drop off their children – leading to illegal parking, dangerous manoeuvres and even confrontations among parents.
But Haringey Council has been working closely with schools to help bring an end to these kinds of problems.
More than 80 schools in the borough have a School Travel Plan approved by the government and Transport for London (TfL). The council hopes that all schools will have plans in place by the end of March this year.
The plans identify road safety measures that will make it safer and more attractive for pupils and parents to walk or cycle to school, as well as improving road safety education and travel awareness in schools.
In turn, it is hoped that more parents will have the confidence to allow their children to walk or cycle to school, rather than being taken by car.
This also cuts carbon emissions from vehicles, helping the council deliver on its pledge to tackle climate change at a local level.
Some schools have gone even further by signing up to a Walking Charter, committing pupils to walking to school at least once a week.
Almost 50 schools take part in the Walk on Wednesday scheme where pupils walk to school once a week and receive a badge at the end of the month.
The council is also promoting cycling through two schemes – Go Bike and Bike It – with special assemblies and workshops in schools.
This is already having a marked effect in reducing the number of parents bringing their children to school by car.
Since 2005 school run journeys in Haringey have decreased by as much as five per cent.
The council’s efforts were commended by judges when Haringey was named “Most Improved Transport Borough in London” at last year’s London Transport Awards.
School Travel Plan advisor Nisha Parma said:
“We will continue to work hard with schools to promote sustainable transport. This not only improves road safety, but also the health of children and parents and our environment.”
To find out more about School Travel Plans and the council’s other road safety work with school children, call the Traffic and Road Safety Group on 020 8489 1091.
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