Safer routes to school
The safer routes to schools programme works on practical solutions to encourage pupils to walk or cycle to school.
As part of the school travel plan process safer routes to schools is the mechanism for the delivery of highway, footway and other capital improvements associated with enabling children to make a safer, healthier and more sustainable journey to school.
Funding is provided through the County's Local Transport Plan which allocates specific sums of money to the programme every year.
Schools with authorised School Travel Plans's are prioritised for safer routes funding based on a number of criteria including the age range of pupils, potential for modal shift and casualty reduction.
The County Council has a rolling programme for the implementation of safer routes to schools schemes and over the last six years has funded improvements at over 30 schools across Bedfordshire.
Some examples of the measures that have been provided as part of the County's safer routes to schools project include the following:
Zebra crossings Signal-controlled crossings Pedestrian guard rails Cycle parking at schools Cycle lanes on road School flashing lights Improved signing around schools 20 mph zones Traffic calming to reduce vehicle speeds Posts to protect verges from parked cars Narrowed junction mouths to reduce the distance people have to cross Shared footway/cycle ways Extensions to school keep-clear markings with traffic regulation orders
What should go where depends very much on the individual circumstances, as well as the legal regulations by which all Councils are bound in relation to some types of engineering works. The various aspects are discussed with the school community and the Travel Plan working group and the measures provided a result of school travel plan consultation with pupils and parents.