School Travel Plan
High Down go for Gold!
We have just completed our 3rd year, sucessfully running our School Travel Plan and have been one of the first schools, not only in North Somerset but nationally, to reach the Gold standard. We attended an award ceremony on 21st November where both the Junior and Infant schools were presented with mounted gold plaques.We were also asked to provide a display and 6H created some great posters about the benefits of cycling as can be seen below.
What is our School Travel Plan?
Nationally the School Travel Initiative was set up by DfES, and is a national programme to focus on changing attitudes to school journeys, improving child health and readiness for learning. We have joined forces with the Infant School to share ideas and focus on road safety and a healthier environment. We have already sucessfully campaigned for a new crossing which was installed in January 2007. We have also campaigned to have additiponal signage, barriers and road markings all of which improve the road saefty aspects espcially on Down Road. Our focus now will be keeping the area around school as free from cars as possible and the development of a comprehensive cycling programme for all ages of children.
Please click on the link for further details about North Somerset's Travel Plan.
Our STP objectives at High Down Juniors and Infants
To reduce local congestion and create a parked car-free zone 500m from school.
Increase a positive attitude to health and fitness through walking
Reduce pollution in the local area
Increase road safety in the area around school
Reduce stress caused by congestion for parents/carers and local residents
Ensure the children have the best start to the day in order to maximise their enjoyment and ability to learn during the school day.
How can you help?
We appreciate that due to distances that people live away from school, children at other schools and work commitments that many parents have no choice but to use the car. However, we would ask that on the occasions when the cars do not have to be used, that more of us walk. When we have to use the cars, can we try and park further away and walk the extra distance. Most importantly, please can everyone be considerate when parking and please be aware of speed when passing the school at all times not just at the beginning and end of the school day.
Lots of small changes = big improvements
Please checkout these links for lots of information about Road Safety
Hedgehogs -great website for kids Think! Road Safety website
Part of the Government's recommendation in relation to a STP, is that an exclusion zone is created around a school. However, due to the lack of alternative parking facilities in our neighbourhood we cannot form a complete exclusion zone. After consultation with local residents, Avon and Somerset Police and the STP committee we have developed the following plan and ask for your full cooperation. As you can see from the attached map the areas coloured in red are the areas where we ask you do not park These are
- Approaching School from West Hill/Lower Down Road- on the right hand side of Down Road from West Hill to Mendip Road
- In The Downs on the opposite side to the school including The Deans.
- The right hand side of Tower Road as you drive into the road.
- Highview, Ridge Close and Downleaze have been designated “no go areas” due to the amount of problems experienced in these areas
- Whenever possible please walk.
- If walking is not practical please liaise with other parents for car sharing or take it in turns to bring children to school.
- When the car has to be used please park as far away from school as possible.
- Suggested parking areas are
- Cost Cutter Car Park, West Hill and Lower Down Road
- Merlin Park
- Down Road past Tower Road away from the school
- Marconi Road and Kings Road
- Wherever you park please be considerate of other people in terms of not parking on the pavement, blocking drives or causing an obstruction
Thank you very much, we hope this will have a major impact on the area around both schools.
