A school travel plan in action

A school travel plan in action

Originally a school-wide survey of parents found that 68% of students usually travelled to school in their family car. That number came as no surprise to staff and parents who wanted to reduce traffic congestion near the school driveway entrance both before and after school.

Since that initial survey the “Plimmerton School Travel Group” has formed and begun taking action.

The group, made up mostly of parents from the school, has organised six walking school buses, addressed perceptions of school bus reliability, contacted their local council and the New Zealand Transport Authority with questions about safety, sent numerous newsletter updates to their parent community, and written a “Voluntary Code of Conduct for Vehicle Users”.

The impact of their actions was observed at a recent cross country running day when, historically, vehicular chaos was inevitable. Prior to the event fliers promoting three alternative parking areas were sent home and on the day free muffins and coffee were provided by the Travel Group.

The results were remarkable. Parking spaces near the driveway were actually left empty; parents walked with their children to the school, either from home or from the alternative parking areas.

“It is wonderful that they are doing this,” parent Jane Hindmarsh commented. “My daughter has special needs and I was able to park near the gate and walk her right up the drive way. It’s a short walk, but it takes us quite a while.”

“My older son walks,” Jane went on to say “because he can do it and it is good for him”.

Janes mother, Helen Hindmarsh, came from Island Bay to for the event. “I parked down the road,” she said “because that’s what you’re supposed to do. It’s not that hard”.

Sam Winslow, Senior School Travel Plan Coordinator for Great Wellington is very impressed with the work the Plimmerton School Travel Group has done. “This event highlighs the impact of a community working to make safe and sustainable travel choices easy,” she said. “It is never a case of one size fits all, and this is a brilliant example of a Travel Plan which tries to provide a range of options – something to help everyone.”

What’s next for the Plimmerton School Travel Group? “Carpool speed dating!” laughs Travel Group member Claire Anderson.

Further information: Sam Winslow, Sam.Winslow@gw.govt.nz.