Integrated Public Transport Strategy - Worcestershire County Council

The enthusiasm and commitment of the Challenge Schools, which have established many
local sustainable transport initiatives, significantly enhance the work of the strategic
assessment projects. Particular successful schemes include:
● Dedicated footways/cycleways at North Bromsgrove, linking the STP strategy with the
National Cycle Route, and Worcestershire cycle strategy.
● Traffic calming and raised crossings in Catshill. Subsequently, the school are reorganising
their internal grounds, to enable a dedicated entry/exit for pedestrians,
resulting in reduced conflict with vehicular access.
● Assemblies / Roadshows have proven particularly successful in ensuring the STP
initiative meets user needs.
● 'A' level projects. North Bromsgrove High School students have worked with the
Integrated Transport Team in establishing monitoring projects to establish the
effectiveness of the STP measures.
● National Curriculum studies. WCC have developed walking and cycling resource
packs for teachers that interface with the national literacy and numeracy strategies.
These documents are currently being trialed throughout the County. They provide the
opportunity for teachers to promote STP principles, through their day-to-day teaching.
● The first Walking Bus scheme for the County has been established at Honeybourne.
This proved to be immediately successful. This followed extensive consultation and
route audits, including representatives from the school, road safety officers, and the
Police. Following the success of these schemes, WCC have developed a good
practise guide for Walking Bus schemes throughout the County.
● A park and walk initiative has been established in the rural school of Tardebigge,
utilising empty public house car parks, and the re-establishment of a canal-side
footpath.
● A cycle initiative in Powick encouraged some 70 pupils at the CE Primary School to
cycle to school on a regular basis. This was instigated by enthusiastic parents,
supported by Worcestershire County Council through the implementation of secure
cycle parking.
● The development of 'reduce speed' signs, designed through school art competitions, to
accompany the 20 mph zones in Worcester.
● The integration of public transport school services, with conventional public transport
to aid efficiency, and make best use of 'empty seats'.
Safer Routes in Action at Nor th Bromsgrove
"Working with the Integrated Transport Team on the School Travel Plan initiative has
proved most rewarding for myself, as well as the vast number of pupils that have taken
part. It gives our school a great opportunity to discuss real life projects, and have an
impact on the local environment and community."
Mr. K Peck, Headteacher, North Bromsgrove High School
Future Programme
In addition to the strategic assessment schools, and those undertaking the Challenge, a
further 3 High School pyramids have been assessed in Redditch. The results of this
assessment are reported separately (Redditch Safer Routes to School Report, March
2000). This was undertaken in response to a re-organisation of the provision of education
facilities throughout Redditch, which culminated in the closure of 6 schools, and the
expansion of 7 schools.
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Chapter 6 - School Travel Plans