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News

MAKING THE JOURNEY TO SCHOOL SAFER

The Borough of Poole is introducing a series of projects to encourage pupils, parents and staff to adopt more user friendly methods of travel to and from schools.

Recent studies have shown that school communities are a major contributor to traffic congestion and the safety and environmental problems caused by school traffic are growing.

Poole Council’s Highways and Education Units are working together to help schools reduce traffic congestion and increase safety.

Walk to School Week, which started on 11 May, was very successfully promoted in conjunction with the TRAVELWISE campaign.

A joint project between Poole, Bournemouth and Dorset Councils and Healthworks, the local health promotion agency, the campaign encourages families within easy walking distance of schools to walk to school with their children.

Early feedback suggests a 28% increase in those walking during the Walk to School Week plus a 10% increase sustained over the following weeks.

Other projects being supported jointly by the Education and Highways Units are detailed assessment of safer routes to school involving the staff, pupils, parents and governors of three schools - Ashdown, Broadstone Middle and Hillbourne Middle.

A traffic management scheme to improve safety in Learoyd Road, Canford Heath is under consideration. Reviews are also being carried out into the design of school premises, access to them and school transport generally.

The Chairman of Education Committee, Councillor Mrs Annette Brooke said "We want to encourage Poole pupils and their parents to walk to school and we recognise the importance of making routes to schools as safe as possible."

Vic Sandel, Head of Education Policy and Planning: (01202) 633073