STPs produce positive results for Ilkley schools

Ilkley has earned top marks in a nationwide initiative to tackle transport problems caused by the school run, and is recommended by the DfT as an example for other areas.

Three of the town’s schools – Ashlands, All Saints CE and Ben Rhydding - have successfully implemented School Travel Plans (STPs) that have reduced the number of school car journeys by 20 per cent, increased the numbers of children who walk and cycle to school, and resulted in five times as many children using public transport to get to school - largely due to the introduction of the popular ‘Yellow Bus’ scheme.

"Nationally there is growing concern that children are not taking enough exercise and the National Healthy Schools Standard emphasises the importance of developing travel plans to encourage walking and cycling on the journey to school," Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, executive member for environment said. "We are very proud of what has been achieved in Ilkley."

At the three schools walking now accounts for over half of all school journeys and cycling accounts for a further three per cent.

Walking for Health co-ordinator Lorna Palmer said "We should all be working towards 30 minutes of brisk activity five times a week in order to maintain good health. The journey to school is an ideal opportunity to build physical activity into the day and set up a healthy pattern for life."

The Ilkley Yellow Bus pilot has increased the use of public transport on school journeys from two per cent to 10 per cent and has proved popular with pupils, parents and teachers. It is now to be used as the basis of a bid to the DfT to introduce more Yellow Buses across West Yorkshire.

"The travel plan is part of the school’s commitment to educate the whole child," Jenny McDonough, headteacher at Ashlands Primary said. "If children walk, cycle or use public transport to get to school they learn valuable road and personal safety skills that they simply can’t learn from the back of a car."

Additional walking bus routes, a second Yellow Bus route, further traffic calming, car sharing schemes and ‘park and stride’ sites are under consideration as the schools update their travel plans.

For further information contact Dave Stevens, STP co-ordinator on 01274 434613.