As part of our commitment to sustainability and to improving the health of children and young people in Newcastle, we want to make it easier for everyone to choose sustainable ways of travelling to schools, colleges and universities.
Sustainable forms of travel are those which improve the health of the travellers and at the same time reduce the harm to the environment. For instance walking and cycling are healthier than travelling by car and do not cause congestion or pollution. Travelling by bus or sharing a car also help to cut congestion and pollution. Private car is the least sustainable way of traveling to school.
Within the context of travel to school, the School Census is a useful tool in identifying the ways in which people travel. The January 2007 School Census asked pupils how they usually go to school.
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From Department of Transport - January 2007 School Census| | National | | Newcastle | |
|---|
| Other | 90428 | 1 | 35 | 0.1 |
| | Number | % | Number | % |
| Walking | 5157996 | 50 | 17527 | 51.7 |
| Cycle | 193376 | 2 | 269 | 0.79 |
| Car | 2920128 | 28 | 7867 | 23.2 |
| Taxi | 102628 | 1 | 272 | 0.8 |
| Car Share | 262120 | 3 | 879 | 2.6 |
| Public Bus | 654742 | 6 | 3215 | 9.5 |
| School Bus | 826966 | 8 | 1962 | 5.8 |
| Unknown Bus | 125280 | 1 | 885 | 2.6 |
| Train | 43728 | 0 | 4 | 0.0 |
| Metro | 6754 | 0 | 1006 | 3.0 |
Pupils and parents in Newcastle use more sustainable forms of travel to school in comparison with the national average. We want this good practice to continue and to encourage more people to choose to walk, cycle and car share or go by public transport.
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We have developed a draft strategy to promote the use of sustainable travel which will look at the travel needs of all children and young people going to any place of learning in Newcastle. The strategy will cover college and university students as well as children with special needs. Travel early to school for breakfast clubs and at the end of after school activities will also be included.
Sustainable modes of transport draft strategy (257kb, pdf)
To make it easier for children and young people and their parents or carers to leave the car behind we will:-
- Find out how children travel now and how they want to travel - by assessing need
- Look at the problems children and young people face getting to school or college - by auditing the existing infrastructure of travel options, routes etc
- Include safe and pleasant walking, cycling and public transport routes - by developing appropriate plans to improve the infrastructure
- Make sure that the travel needs of children and young people with disabilities are met - by undertaking an audit of accessibility
- Promote sustainable travel - by providing information to help and encouragement parents, children and young people to choose sustainable travel
We are already tackling many of these issues through School Travel Plans and in college and universities through Workplace Travel Plans.
During 2007-2009 we will be using these plans and coordinating the work of all departments of Newcastle City Council to develop a Strategy to Promote Sustainable Travel. We will also be consulting with schools, children and young people and their parents and carers.
We already know from School Travel Plan surveys that the majority of children in Newcastle want to cycle to school with the next favourite choice for primary children being walking. For secondary children walking is the top choice.
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Preferred Way of Traveling| | % All School | % All Primary Schools | % All Secondary Schools |
|---|
| Other | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 |
| Walk | 26.7 | 25.6 | 28.4 |
| Cycle | 28.8 | 37.3 | 15.2 |
| Car Taxi | 22.1 | 18.8 | 27.5 |
| Bus | 5.7 | 16.7 | 9.4 |
| School Bus | 9.3 | 7.5 | 12.1 |
| Metro | 6.3 | 6.2 | 6.5 |
| Train | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.2 |
We know from Workplace Travel Plan surveys at Newcastle University, Northumbria University and Newcastle College that the majority of students in Newcastle use sustainable forms of travel to their place of education.
In the next few months Newcastle City Council in conjunction with Newcastle College and the Universities will produce a survey asking for more information from young people in further or higher education about their travel choices and options.
There will also be a general survey of your views about travel and transport in Newcastle. Your views will be taken into account and help to shape the strategy.
You can help now by:
Letting us know any problems you or your children face travelling to school, college or university
Finding out if your child's school has a Travel Plan. If not, can you help to develop one?
Choosing sustainable ways of taking your child to school. Susatainable travel is healthier for your child, cheaper for you, and better for the environment.
Following research and consultation, the strategy will be published by August 2008 and will be revised annually.
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Related Pages
For further information, help or advice or to let us know your views
Road Safety and Sustainable Travel Strategy
Cheryl Ford
Road Safety Services Officer
email: cheryl.ford@newcastle.gov.uk
Phone: 0191 211 5963
School Travel Plans and Sustainable Travel Strategy
Anne Clark
School Travel Advisor
email: anne.clark@newcastle.gov.uk
Phone: 0191 211 5963
Student Survey, Work Place Travel Plans and any other aspects of Sustainable Travel in Newcastle, including the Strategy to Promote Sustainable Travel
Sally Herbert
Travel Plan Officer
email: sally.herbert@newcastle.gov.uk
Phone: 0191 211 6032
Strategy to Promote Sustainable Travel
Barbara Moorhead
Access Manager
email: barbara.moorhead@newcastle.gov.uk
Phone: 0191 211 5316
Student Support and Home to School Travel
John Curry
Student Services Manager
email: john.curry@newcastle.gov.uk
Phone 0191 211 5320