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.
Strategy to promote sustainable travel
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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.
| 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.
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. Please note the Sustainable modes of travel strategy is currently being revised and updated:
Sustainable modes of travel draft strategy (257kb, pdf)
We are already tackling many of these issues through School Travel Plans and in college and universities through Workplace Travel Plans.
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.
Go to Top
| % 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.
You can help us by:
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 Support and Home to School Travel
Colin Davidson
Student Services Manager
email: colin.davidson@newcastle.gov.uk
Phone 0191 211 5320
Page last updated: 25 November, 2011
