Safe Routes to School take off

The rapid progress being made by Safe Routes to Schools schemes across the UK in providing safer routes and high quality amenities for the journey to school is highlighted in the Spring edition of Sustrans Safe Routes to Schools newsletter. It shows how Safe Routes have become a central part of both local and central governments transport strategies.

Sustrans has been working on its Safe Routes to Schools project to promote walking and cycling to school since 1996. There is now firm Government backing for the project as well as strong public support. Routes are now being developed across the UK.

Highlights of the latest newsletter include, proposals made in the recent School Transport Advisory Group Road Safety strategy, more money for Safe Routes to Schools in Wales, and schemes in development from Colchester to Dumfries. Sustrans latest information sheet on Walking to School is also reviewed and news of a Home Zones study tour.

Celia Beeson, Sustrans Safe Routes to Schools Project Co-ordinator, said: "It is very encouraging to see so many local authorities embracing the Safe Route to School concept. We hope that more will follow suit, adopting and fully enforcing the recent Government recommendations on vehicle speeds and 20 mph zones around schools. The recent Budget announcement of £30m for road safety and Safe Routes to Schools schemes appears to be another incentive to local authorities."

www.sustrans.org.uk