School Travel Plans

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is committed to promoting active and sustainable travel for journeys to and from school.  The Council work hard to achieve this through the development of school travel plans. This work is outlined in the Royal Borough’s Sustainable Modes of Travel Strategy:

or you can read the background to the Government initiative to have a School Travel Plan in all schools by March 2010 on Background to Sustainable Modes of Travel Strategy.

Why create a School Travel Plan

A school travel plan is a tool which intends to address a school’s particular travel needs as well as road safety and health issues. Every plan is unique to the local area's circumstances. It aims to move the school community away from private car trips to and from school, towards more sustainable modes of travel such as walking, bicycling and public transport.

As it involves the whole school community - pupils, teachers, school council, governors and parents - it can become an exciting project that is integrated into the life and ethos of the school.

  • does your school have a travel plan? - see a list of Royal Borough schools with an approved travel plan in 2009 / 2010

Benefits of a School Travel Plan

Schools that actively implement their travel plans normally experience a range of positive changes.  A number of schools in the Royal Borough have achieved success in reducing congestion in the local area which has had a positive effect on air quality.  Other examples of positive changes reported by schools include:

  • increased alertness of pupils
  • improved punctuality and attendance
  • improved life and social skills – greater independence, pupils looking after their own safety
  • improved road safety skills and knowledge
  • greater sense of citizenship as pupils get to know their neighbourhood and have increased environmental awareness
  • healthier, more active, pupils, staff and families

Keep your School Travel Plan fresh

It is important you regularly review and update your School Travel Plan, follow our advice here: Keep your School Travel Plan alive

Implementing your Action Plan

There are many aspects to your plan, from training programmes to weekly walking initiatives. Some suggested ways forward, plus contact details for more support and information are available here: Implementing your Action Plan.

Links to other Initiatives