Cllr Cooper launches new school active travel plan

Pictured are (left to right) Louise Norris, Headteacher at St George’s CofE Primary School; Lois Asamoah; Charlie Warburton; Councillor Lynn Denham, Worcester City Council Leader; Worcester City Council’s Arboretum Ward Councillor, Hannah Cooper. Photo: Worcester City Council

Bike Worcester and Worcester City Council are encouraging local schools in Worcester to join a scheme which encourages pupils to walk, wheel, cycle or scoot on their daily journeys to school.

Bike Worcester member and Worcester City Ward Councillor, Hannah Cooper, has been instrumental in helping St George’s CofE Primary School join the Modeshift Stars scheme and create their own School Travel Plan.

Parents and teachers are being asked to consider leaving their car at home and use greener travel methods, including public transport, to help reduce carbon emissions around school buildings.

Benefits include improving both physical and mental health, along with reducing air pollution and traffic congestion.

Schools can join the Modeshift STARS accreditation scheme – funded by Worcestershire County Council - and create their own School Travel Plan.

The scheme awards schools with certificates for their Travel Plans and increasing the number of their pupils who regularly walk, wheel, cycle or use other forms of sustainable transport on their journey to school.

St George’s CofE Primary School is the only school in Worcester to be awarded with a certificate for having a ‘good’ School Travel Plan.

Amongst the measures introduced by Worcestershire County Council at the school are parking restrictions on Henry Street and St George’s Lane North - to improve safety outside the school.

The County Council has also improved drainage on St George’s Lane North to prevent pools of water forming.

Bike Worcester member and City Council Arboretum Ward Councillor, Hannah Cooper added: “I'm committed to working with all the schools in my ward on School Travel Plans.

“When surveyed, only 2% of the children said that they wanted to travel by car and 21% of staff said that they would prefer to cycle to school.

“The travel plan has increased the number of pupils and teachers arriving at school by walking, wheeling, scooting or biking.

“The children go on frequent walking trips to places such as the Guildhall, the Commandery and the mosque, as well as walking from Perdiswell back to school after swimming lessons.

“There is also a bi-weekly Bike Bus on Tuesdays and Fridays with Bike Worcester.”

Louise Norris, Headteacher at St George’s CofE Primary School said: “We were very aware of the high level of traffic congestion around the school and wanted to encourage pupils to be more physically active.

“The school travel plan has been focused on achieving these aims. We really appreciate the hard work of Councillor Hannah Cooper in supporting us and leading the project forward.

“We are especially proud to be the first school in Worcester to have this recognition.”

The scheme supports Worcester City Council’s Air Quality Action Plan which aims to reduce emissions from traffic, improve public health and wellbeing, increase uptake of sustainable travel options and plan for future development.

Schools are encouraged to register with the Modeshift STARS scheme free of charge. More information is available at www.modeshiftstars.org.