Since 2003 the Government has had a capital grant system in place in an attempt to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and encourage children to cycle to school, thus helping the environment, the health and wellbeing of the children.
Every school in England is eligible for support towards the funding of cycle shelters, canopies, parent waiting shelters and storage lockers.
Primary schools can receive grants up to £3750 + £5 per pupil and secondary schools £5000 + £5 per pupil.
Applying for funding
In order to gain access to this funding, schools must have a travel plan in place. School travel plans (STPs) must fulfil a number of criteria, and based on this your local authority will assess your eligibility to qualify for funding. As a rough guideline your STP should contain information on each of the following elements:
1. Introduction
- School name, address, number of pupils
- Type of school
- Age range of pupils
- Description of the schools location and local community
- DfES number
- No. of staff
- School opening times
- Why are you setting up a travel plan?
- Travel issues raised as a result of your surveys?
- Travel needs of others, such as, staff, community members etc.
- Are there any clubs/activities outside school opening hours?
- Date of survey
- No. of respondents
- Survey example
- Current methods of transport
- Information on those using public transport/school bus etc
You must also include evidence (e.g. all correspondence) to support your application. It is important that your survey data is no older than 18 months and you will need to also provide all information from detailed questions.
2. Action Plan
This is basically a list of objectives that you hope your travel plan will achieve, e.g. reduced congestion at peak times, and how you aim to achieve these.
3. Monitoring
Your plan will need to include dates of when you will be reviewing and updating your STP. In order to do this you will need to carry out another student survey.
Your local council employ a number of school travel plan advisors who are there to assist you throughout the process. You can get in touch with your travel plan advisor through your local council or via Sustrans.
The following links provide further information which may of help to you:
The
Sustrans website provides a wide range of helpful resources, such
as key stats, downloadable fact sheets and general help and guidance
with your travel plan application. Sustrans is the UK's leading sustainable
transport charity, aiming to reduce the number of cars on the road
and increase walking and the use of bikes and public transport.
Sustrans
runs a number of campaigns including, Bike It focusing on increasing
cycling in particular amongst young people. Bike It has a number of
local officers around the country.
Cycling
England was set up by the government to reduce the number of vehicles
on the road and promote safe cycling as an alternative. Six towns
and cities throughout the country have been chosen as 'demonstration
towns' to lead the way in endorsing cycling across England. Demonstration
towns are : Aylesbury, Brighton, Darlington, Derby, Exeter, Lancaster
The
Department of Transport's website contains a wide range of information
designed for, local authorities, schools, teachers and parents.
The
Think Road Safety website provides guidelines for improving road safety,
and have a number of downloadable resources for road safety officers
and teachers
