Introduction
A School Travel Plan is a written document which outlines a series of practical steps for improving children’s journeys to and from school. The travel plan is written in consultation with parents, governors, staff, pupils and anyone else involved with the school, and is a living document that must be updated every year.
The plan will result in benefits for pupils, parents and the wider community. It identifies how pupils would like to travel to school and the barriers that may prevent them from choosing that mode of travel. It will also assist by reducing the numbers of cars on the road at peak times and will benefit the safety of the environment around the school.
If the school is planning any building work on site, the planning authority will expect them to have a completed Travel Plan. The School Travel Plan Team can offer advice and guidance on this for free.
If you need help and advice on how to get started please email: travelplanning@somerset.gov.uk
School Travel Plans through development control
Planning authorities will want to see that a school has a completed School Travel Plan if they wish to complete any building works on the school site, so having one already can streamline the process and save time and money.
You can find out more in the School Travel Plans through Development Control document.
Resources for schools
The government has set the criteria that School Travel Plans must meet, and what it would be good for them to achieve. The School Travel Plan Team can provide their expert advice on how to achieve these in ways that are most suitable for your school, using examples that have been used at other schools with similar needs.