New duties for the Local Authority in relation to travel to school
In summary the transport-related requirements of the new duty are as follows:
• Local Authorities (LAs) to assess the travel and transport needs of children and young people within the LA's area. LAs should in large part base this assessment on the data provided in school/college travel plans which should include:
- Normal time journeys to and from school/college
- Journeys to and from after school events
- Journeys made during the school day to attend activities at other locations
• LAs to undertake an audit of the sustainable travel and transport infrastructure within the authority. The audit will include a mapping exercise showing how schools are served by:
- Bus and other public transport routes
- Footpaths, cycle ways, roads and other associated features, for example crossing points and patrols and traffic management measures
- Any other arrangements made to support sustainable school transport such as cycle training and independence training
- The audit should also contain data relating to personal safety and security, and other factors that can influence travel choices such as poor behaviour on school buses, the incidence of bullying on the journey to school
• LAs to develop a strategy for the sustainable travel and transport infrastructure within the authority. This should be a statement of the authority's overall vision, objectives and work programme for improving accessibility to schools.
• The promotion of sustainable travel and transport modes on the journeys to and from schools and other educational establishments such as:
- Walking
- Cycling
- Use of public transport
In response to these new requirements the LA has established a working group to review how best they can be met. This site will be updated as developments occur.