20th School Travel Plan is Another Eastleigh Achievement

5.11.32pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 1st Dec 2004

Safer Routes to School - another achievement of Eastleigh Borough Council

The launch of Eastleigh's 20th School Travel Plan at Shamblehurst Primary School in Hedge End, is another continuing success for the borough.

The plan was worked up with support from pupils, parents, school governors and staff and with help from the Borough Council. The plan showed that almost half the pupils currently travel to school by car, but that more would walk or cycle to school if it was safer to do so and if cycle routes were improved. The message of the plan is that more pupils should cycle.

The Shamblehurst Travel Plan is the 20th to be launched in the Borough. And with work underway on another nine Eastleigh is one of Hampshire's leading Councils for developing School Travel Plans.

Netley Abbey Councillor and Executive Councillor for Transport, David Airey, said

"The Plan at Shamblehurst is the result of a great deal of effort from everybody at the school. It highlights the issues that concern staff, pupils and parents about travelling to school and comes up with schemes to combat the problems. Schools that have adopted Travel Plans have seen fewer cars on the school run. Notable successes are a 15% reduction at Berrywood, Hedge End while St James Primary, West End has seen a 13% increase in the numbers of pupils walking to school. The efforts put into the Plans are really worthwhile and will make the journey to school safer and help to improve the environment."