A green transport scheme that has helped to eradicate millions of car journeys during the morning school run has launched a new website to encourage more participants.
The mayor of London’s Sustainable Travel: Active, Responsible, Safe (Stars) programme has been running for a decade, and seen more than 1,500 primary and secondary schools take part.
It helps schools to select the most suitable activities for them to address their travel issues, and reach active travel targets.
The scheme claims to cut 13 million morning rush-hour car journeys a year in the capital, and says schools that take part can expect to see an average 6 per cent reduction in car trips, and up to 12 per cent for those that reach “gold” or “silver” standard.
‘Changing people’s views’
Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, said the average journey to a school in London is less than 1km, equivalent to a 10-minute walk, but half of road trips between 8am and 9am are due to the school run.
He said: “It’s a scheme that has been specially designed to help young people see the impact of travel on their health, wellbeing and the environment. The project helps pupils think about the benefits of walking, scooting, cycling and public transport, rather than simply getting driven up to the school gates.”
He cited the example of East Sheen Primary in Richmond, which recently gained gold status, and ran a successful project to stop cars idling outside its gates.
Lee Hanford, site manager at The Coopers’ Company and Coborn School, in Havering, said: “We’ve changed people’s views on cycling to school by running various cycling activities and awards, and installing new facilities. I’m proud to say all our hard work gained us a Star School of the Region award.”
The new Stars website, launched in time for World Car Free Day on 22 September, includes materials that can be used by schools across the country, and has 120 bespoke resources, including talks, activity cards and maps.
It also features 25,000 stories about what schools have done in areas including smarter driving, funding, curriculum, scooting and partnership work.
For more information, see www.tfl.gov.uk/stars
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