Twineham C.E. Primary School - School Travel Plan

Parent Information

School Travel Plan

School Travel Plan_SUMMER 2021.pdf

Aims and purpose

A School Travel Plan is a living document, updated regularly, that sets out how a school will promote safer, active and sustainable travel to and from school. The main emphasis is on reducing the number of children being driven to and from school. All schools are expected to have an STP and an up to date version is a requirement for planning permission.

This travel plan has been prepared to:

Keep children fit, healthy and safe on the way to and from school
Support local County Council’s commitment to reduce our reliance on cars
Help the environment by reducing congestion, air and noise pollution
Educate children, parents and staff on the health benefits of various sustainable travel options
Provide a structure to work to and record progress

Key facts

We currently have 80 children on roll (May 2021) with an average of 13 staff attending school each day. 80% of our pupils travel to school from outside of our immediate catchment area. Children live in towns and villages all around us, such as Bolney, Albourne, Sayers Common, Hurstpierpoint, Henfield, Small Dole, Burgess Hill, Hove, Warninglid, Haywards Heath, Wineham and Shermanbury.

School location

We are 5 miles away from the closest train station (Burgess Hill) and not served by major bus routes. Public transport links are difficult. However, we are well connected to main roads with the A2300 only 1.2 miles away.

The school is situated just before St Peter’s Church at the end of Twineham Lane. This road has a narrow pedestrian footpath and narrow access making it difficult for two vehicles to pass each other.

Travel survey

Latest data based on survey from Autumn 2020 (84 pupils)

Method of travel	Number of pupils	% of school
Car – individual	31	37%
Car – with sibling	24	29%
Car share with another household	16	19%
Motorbike	2	2%
Walk	8	9%
Cycle	3	4%
Scoot	0	0%
Train	0	0%
Bus	0	0%
Taxi	0	0%
Other	0	0%

Staff travel:

Limited car sharing currently takes place. Public transport links are very limited. Two members of staff often cycle to school.

Recent achievements

1) Car Share Fridays and other car sharing initiatives have reduced traffic

2) Walk To School Week has been supported by parents and the local community. A Walking Bus travelled from a local farm where children were given a hot breakfast!

3) Travel to school was tracked as part of the Living Streets programme until the scheme was interrupted by Covid-19 closures

4) We have seen a small increase in cyclists, supported by parents cycling with hi-visibility vests

5) Staggered timings introduced as part of Covid-19 risk management have been extremely effective in reducing traffic congestion and parking problems.

Challenges

Many children and parents are keen to be more green with their journey to school, but have little choice but to travel by car, due to their location
Walking routes are generally cross-country through farmers’ fields and not accessible when bad weather leads to poor conditions
The main road has been deemed unsafe for Bike Ability training by West Sussex County Council
Parking is difficult without staggered timings.

School Travel Action Plan 2021-22

Priority	How will we achieve this?
1) Reduce pollution and congestion issues at school travel time.	Continue staggered timings that have significantly reduced traffic problems. Parent feedback is overwhelmingly positive about this measure.
2) Safer cycling for Year 6 pupils	Signpost to holiday Bike Ability sessions.
3) Travel awareness and road safety embedded in curriculum	Engage with support services from West Sussex County Council. Share and participate in campaigns to raise awareness.
4) Engage with parents to promote sustainable transport to and from school	Active and sustainable travel information distributed through school newsletters, school website and social media such as FOTS Facebook.
5) Car sharing for staff	Promote and encourage where possible.
6) Walk to school week/ year-round challenge such as Walk On Wednesdays (WOW)	Promote challenges throughout year to encourage walking to school. Consider Living Streets scheme with rewards for sustainable modes of travel.