Travel Plan Policy Dec 2014

ASHTON COMMUNITY SCIENCE COLLEGE SCHOOL TRAVEL PLAN Introduction Ashton Community Science College is an 11-18 mixed comprehensive school situated on the west side of the city of Preston. Formerly known as Ashton-on-Ribble High School, the School gained Science College Status in September, 2004 and achieved redesignation in 2007. The School population of c.800 students is drawn predominantly from the Larches and Savick estates, both of which have a high level of social deprivation.

The School is based on Blackpool Road (A5085), a very busy main road out of Preston to Kirkham, Lytham, St. Annes and Blackpool. There is a 30 m.p.h. speed limit along the stretch of road adjacent to the School, and one Pelican Crossing close by. Access to the School is via residential areas. Aldwych Drive, off Blackpool Road, allows vehicle access to the main entrance of the School. Pedestrian access is also available via Lyndhurst Drive at the back of the School at the start and end of the school day only.

A one-way vehicle system, and a speed limit of 5 m.p.h. operates within the School grounds. The school also has speed bumps fitted on our drives

Current Problems • •

Parking space is limited on the School Car Park, however this has eased with the reduction in staff numbers but congestion is a problem at the beginning, and especially the end, of the school day.

Although Blackpool Road does have some cycle lanes, these do not cover the whole catchment area through which this very busy road passes and there is a need for them to be re-painted by Preston City Council. More extensive cycle lane provision would enhance the safety of the road for cyclists.

Current Initiatives •

Parents given regular reminders via Headteacher’s letters home regarding road safety and the need to encourage their children to use the pedestrian crossing on Blackpool Road.

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Road Safety features as a prominent part of the PSHE syllabus in Year 7

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A secure place is available to all students for the safe storage of bicycles

Aim To gain a cross section of the staff and students’ current and preferred travel arrangements.

Method To do this data returns regarding students and staff mode of travel to school were analysed and a return sent to the Local Authority (May 2012)

Discussion of Results: Students The School’s catchment area broadly consists of two very local estates and as a result, a high proportion of students walk to school. Although safer crossing facilities and traffic congestion are issues for some students, the social aspects of walking to school are the major factor that would impact on walking as a travel option. An increasing number of students travel in from outlying areas such as Cottam, Lea Town, Tanterton and Woodplumpton, which are outside of a reasonable walking distance. For many of these students, travel by bus and/or car is the current mode of travel.

Revised Dec 2014

Although less than 1% of students sampled cycle to school, approximately 8% stated that cycling was their preferred option. By far the key reason why this preference was not actualised is the volume of traffic on the roads. Once again, the social aspect of travel options features high on the students’ agenda.

Interestingly, safer dry storage is identified as a feature that would encourage students to cycle. The current cycle store, though secure is exposed to the elements and offers no protection from rain.

Public transport is currently used by about 12% of students making it the least most popular travel option.

The key concern for students with regard to public transport, especially buses, is the cost of fares. For many students, the bus is not a realistic option as they live too close to school.

Key Findings 

The majority of students due to their proximity to the school do already subscribe to a healthy school travel option – walking.

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Students who walk to school are concerned about high levels of traffic and would rather walk with friends than alone.

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Travelling with friends is seen as an important factor in encouraging students to walk, cycle, or use public transport as a school travel option.

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Secure and dry storage would provide encouragement to cyclists.

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There are a high proportion of car journeys to school but they are not made solely for that purpose.

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Students consider bus fares to be too expensive.

Suggested Action 

To increase students’ awareness of both the environmental and health benefits of reducing car use through assembly speakers and the PSHE curriculum.

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To promote the social aspects of walking to school through assemblies, form times and PSHCE programme

Discussion of Results: Staff The vast majority of staff use their car as a means of transport to work because of the distance they travel and the amount of work they carry to and from school as part of their role (e.g. exercise books for marking, files to assist in preparation etc). The main reason given for not car sharing was the difference in start and finish times that colleagues have; very few staff work to the 8.35am to 3pm official school day, with start times as early as 7.15am and finish times as late as 6pm regular features of a working day.

Almost all staff valued the flexibility that travelling alone afforded them regarding start and finish times.

The direction staff travel from was also cited as a barrier to car sharing. Many staff choose to live some distance from the school, ranging from walking distance to over 40 miles away and find that other colleagues do not live in their area. This also makes cycling or walking to school impossible.

Key Findings • • • • • •

The lack of facilities re: changing and storage is a barrier for the small number of staff who would consider cycling to school although some staff do cycle to work and lock their bikes away eg in school storage areas. Shower facilities are available if required via PE staff changing rooms.

The unpredictability of public transport prevents staff using buses as a means of transport.

The start time of the school day discourages cycling/walking for those staff who have ‘nursery runs’ to complete before their working day begins Staff would welcome more creative approaches to working – for example working from home on occasion if this was appropriate Staff would appreciate school involvement in subsidised travel schemes if possible Staff are keen to contribute to the reduction of their carbon footprint and would be keen to use more environmentally vehicles if it were affordable.

Suggested Action Revised Dec 2014

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Publicise the existing changing facilities within school – located in PE area Encourage staff to car share with colleague who live nearby at least occasionally

Revised Dec 2014