Every year hundreds of children are injured on Britain’s roads. The Safer Routes to School initiative aims to:
- Increase the safety around the school gate
- Promote sustainable transport
- Reduced school related journeys
- Reduce the number of child casualties
The government has published a good practice guide and an action plan for reducing car use on the school run.
School Travel Plans
A School Travel Plan is a series of practical steps for improving children’s safety on the journey to and from school.
The first step towards a School Travel Plan is the completion of a travel survey. The survey provides a detailed summary of the travel methods, problems on the route to school and how children would prefer to get to school. Using this information, the school can explore possible solutions to the problems of congestion.
What are the aims and benefits?
- Reduce accidents and dangers on the journey to school
- To encourage parents and children to choose walking and cycling as an alternative to car use
- To cut congestion at the school gate
- To improve pupils fitness through daily walking and cycling
- To give children the opportunity to have a say in decisions that affect them
- To build links between the school and the community
The School Development Plan is the tool by which all short and long-term planning can be introduced. School Travel Plans can fit into the curriculum, finance and planning spheres of the Development document.
Bournemouth ’s Green School ’s Award Scheme incorporates a module for School Travel Plans and encourages a whole school approach.
For more information on School Travel Planning contact your Green School’s Co-ordinator or Ian Selby, School Travel Plans Officer (01202) 454652.
Walking Bus
An initiative to encourage pupils to walk to school with their friends and parent escorts.
Walking buses comprise of six children and two parent escorts that are fully trained and equipped to safely walk to school. The route to school is established and a risk assessment is completed by Road Safety staff.
The children are given tabards, badges, baseball caps and award cards. If a child walks to school twelve times in a half term, they can collect a prize from the Road Safety team. Prizes in 2003 include swim tickets for the BIC and the Littledown Centre.
If your school is interested in the Walking Bus scheme speak to Ian Selby, School Travel Plans Officer (01202) 454652. We will organise a meeting to get you started!
Cycling Proficiency
The Road Safety department organises two Cycling Proficiency courses.
Phase One
Off-road training – for familiarisation and control. Aimed at children in Years 3 & 4.
Phase Two
On-road training for children in Year 5 and above. As a result of training, the pupils should have a practical knowledge of:
- Their responsibility as road users
- The need to communicate as road users
- The need to keep their bicycles roadworthy
- How to control a bicycle
- Road manoeuvres
- The Highway Code
If your child or school is interested in cycle training courses, please contact the Road Safety Department on (01202) 454636.
Why not walk to school?
Children and parents can enjoy the benefits of walking to school and help to reduce traffic congestion and vehicle pollution.
What are the benefits to you?
- Walking is a great way to keep fit. A brisk 20 minute walk every day is very good for your heart and burns up hundreds of excess calories
- A chance to teach vital road skills and help your children stay safe on the roads
- Less hassle – you don’t have to find somewhere to park
- It’s free!
- Non-polluting and environmental friendly
- Gives you a chance to enjoy the fresh air and exercise
Road Safety
Bournemouth Borough Council is committed to reducing the number of road collisions through education, training and publicity to all road user groups.
Driver error still contributes to approximately 95% of all road collisions. The ability of the driver to identify risks and have the skills to take the necessary action to avoid a collision is the key to reducing casualties.
In Bournemouth we aim to provide education to all schools in the Borough.
Whether you are a pedestrian, cyclist or pre- driver we have an education package suitable for you. Training for drivers of most vehicle types is also facilitated through the Road Safety Office together with local support for all the National Road Safety Campaigns. Schools are particularly encouraged to make regular use of the Road Safety resources available.
For more information on all aspects of Road Safety in Bournemouth please contact Nevil Tillman, Road Safety Officer (01202) 454654.
Schools Crossing Patrols
We have several vacancies for School Crossing patrollers. If you would like more details about this community based job that only takes a couple of hours a day, please contact Claire Elkins on (01202) 454636.
- Uniform will be provided
- Wages are £5.45 per hour for approximately ten hours per week in term time. Salary is paid weekly for 52 weeks of the year.
