SCHOOL TRAVEL PLAN School name: Stanford In The Vale Primary School CHECKLIST Is your School Travel Plan ready for approval? Please use the checklist below to ensure that you have completed all parts of your school s Travel Plan. FRONT-COVER DETAILS Details below completed INTRODUCTION: Description of school BACKGROUND & CONSULTATION Description of journeys to school Record of consultation process SURVEY Valid pupil school travel survey OBJECTIVES AND TARGETS 3 or more objectives (each with SMART target), reflecting survey findings and background SCHOOL ACTIONS Completed table of school-led actions addressing the targets SUPPORTING MEASURES Completed descriptions of desirable highway and on-site changes and actions by other parties MONITORING, REVIEW & OWNERSHIP Plan of how actions will be monitored and the STP reviewed Evidence that the STP is endorsed within the school APPENDICES (optional) Evidence of consultation with interested parties, photos etc. Relevant pages of guidance document, Compiling a School Travel Plan Page 2 Page 5 Page 4 Page 6 Page 7 Page7 Page 9 Mark when section is complete School DfES number: 931 3240 School roll (latest figure): 202 Month in which STP completed and submitted for approval: February 2015 New/revised STP? Revised
TEMPLATE FOR SCHOOL TRAVEL PLAN INTRODUCTION Please write your introduction below. See page 2 of "compiling a School Travel Plan" Location of school Stanford In The Vale Primary School is situated in the Vale of the White Horse, Oxfordshire, half way between Wantage and Faringdon. The Main (pedestrian / vehicular) entrance to the school is on the High Street opposite several commercial businesses, traffic in this area can be busy at peak times. A second pedestrian only entrance to school is on Huntersfield to the west with an exit through the Millennium Green. There is good footpath provision around the school and a zebra crossing across the High Street. The site is not shared with any other organisations. The nearest school is Shellingford (Approx 2.5Km). Stanford in the Vale is poorly served by public transport but does have a community bus. Stanford In The Vale Primary School Church of England Voluntary Controlled High Street Stanford in the Vale Faringdon OXON SN7 8LH Type and size of school Stanford in the Vale School is a Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School. The school was established in the early 1870s. At present we have 7 classes, including the Foundation Stage and 202 pupils on the roll. There are currently 12 Teaching staff and 10 non-teaching staff. Description of catchment area The school serves the rural villages of Stanford, Goosey, Hatford and Challow Station. Pupils actually come from Stanford, Goosey, Challow Station, Hatford, Fernham, Faringdon and Kingston Lisle. Pupils travel in by car. Some share transport. This is shown in the biannual surveys. Page 1 of 31
BACKGROUND Travel-to-school related problems The village of Stanford is large, pupils routes to school are many and varied, several routes cause specific safety concerns for pupils and parents walking and cycling to school some of the key routes have been surveyed for this document (see Appendix B). Additional points have been identified from the parent survey. Appendix C o Congestion outside the school during pick-up times. o Conflict with commercial vehicles and customers of nearby shops and other businesses (relates to above). o Cars not being considerate of children speeding, inappropriate parking, especially in Huntersfield, Church Path and High Street. o Narrow or no pavements. o Dog fouling around the village. Travel-to-school related opportunities o Potential for walking bus on other days. o Liase with nearby businesses to reduce traffic movements during pick-up times. o Contact The Highways Department, reference road improvements and potential for 20mph zone around the school. o Contact The Parish Council about improving the dog fouling situation. Pupil s travel needs for journeys to attend pre- and after-school events We operate a breakfast club and run clubs after school on all days. They are all held in school. Watch group is run by volunteers from the village who all usually walk to school. Gym and French are run by outside experts who drive in. Pupil s travel needs for journeys made during the school day We do not have our own minibus but do hire one from a Wantage school when pupil numbers allow this. Otherwise coaches are hired for any school visits. Swimming takes place weekly throughout the year and a coach is hired to take pupils to Faringdon Leisure Centre. Page 2 of 31
CONSULTATION The plan is now due to be revised, this was communicated to all parents in November 2014, through a letter and accompanying questionnaire. A smaller working party, consisting of the Headteacher, Chair of Governors, Parent Governor and Parent, have worked on it. The Parent Governor will take the lead. The school has for sometime recorded travel mode survey details of pupils. For the STP a new pupil survey was completed along with a parent survey accompanied by a letter home to parents explaining the project and including an invitation to interested parents to join the working group appendix C and D. School Travel is a Resources, Pay and Personnel standing agenda item and is discussed regularly. The Chair of Governors signs off actions from the School Travel Plan or as it is completed. The plan should be reviewed every two years. The School Travel Plan has been added to the school s Improvement Plan and is published on the school s website. The new intake will be encouraged to use sustainable modes of transport for the journey to school. Parish Councillors (through Janet Warren, Chair of Governor) will be sent a copy of the completed School Travel Plan. Our local Community Police Officers will be made aware of our School Travel Plan and any relevant issues that arise from it. The School Travel Plan Advisor and other relevant Council Officers, will be sent a copy of the School Travel Plan and will be invited to meetings as appropriate. All members of our School Community will be involved through events, meetings, collective worship and education work throughout the school year (see action plan). Page 3 of 31
SURVEY Three surveys have been completed the first in June 2014, the second in January 2015, the third survey was a tick box based survey aimed at parents Appendix C,D. The idea behind conducting two surveys was to find out if seasonality was affecting travel decisions. Survey of pupils of usual mode of travel to school. Journey Mode Preferred mode of travel to school by year group... June 2014 Total no. of pupils % of pupils surveyed Foundation Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Walk 14 12 17 21 16 11 18 109 54% Scooter 4 4 4 3 4 4 3 26 12.5% Cycle 6 8 2 2 3 3 5 29 14% School taxi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0% Other bus 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0% Car 6 5 7 4 2 9 3 36 18% Car share 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 3 1.5% Total number of pupils in the survey 203 Number on school roll: 203 % of school surveyed (= number taking part number on school roll x 100): 100% Pupil Survey of how they usually travel to School June 2014 Journey Mode Boys Girls Total % using each mode Walk 62 47 109 54% Scooter 14 12 26 12.5% Cycle 16 13 29 14% School taxi 0 0 0 0% Other bus 0 0 0 0% Car 19 17 36 18% Car share 1 2 3 1.5% Total number of pupils taking part in the survey 203 Page 4 of 31
Preferred Mode of Travel - June 2014 Car Other bus School taxi Cycle Scooter Car share Walk Walk Scooter Cycle School taxi Other bus Car Car share Journey Mode Preferred mode of travel to school by year group... January 2015 Total no. of pupils % of pupils surveyed Foundation Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Walk 21 11 18 14 20 15 9 108 54.5% Scooter 2 4 3 2 5 4 1 21 10.5% Cycle 1 6 3 0 0 0 1 11 5.5% School taxi 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.5% Other bus 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0% Car 5 9 2 14 5 2 14 51 26% Car share 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 6 3% Total number of pupils in the survey 198 Number on school roll: 198 % of school surveyed (= number taking part number on school roll x 100): 98% Page 5 of 31
Pupil Survey of how they usually travel to School January 2015 Journey Mode Boys Girls Total % using each mode Walk 58 50 108 54.5% Scooter 12 9 21 10.5% Cycle 6 5 11 5.5% School taxi 0 1 1 0.5% Other bus 0 0 0 0% Car 27 24 51 26% Car share 4 2 6 3% Total number of pupils taking part in the survey 198 Preferred Mode of Travel - January 2015 Car Other bus School taxi Cycle Scooter Car share Walk Walk Scooter Cycle School taxi Other bus Car Car share Page 6 of 31
SUMMARY AND INTERPRETATION OF SURVEY AND BACKGROUND The survey reveals a higher than national average number of walkers and cyclists at around 80.5% with a slight decrease in Winter. There was no use of buses at the school. The number of people driving children to school has increased due to increased numbers and more children joining from out of catchment area. See Appendix C and D for Parent survey results. Page 7 of 31
OBJECTIVES AND TARGETS Objective 1: Area addressed = Publicise School Travel Plan To ensure that the whole school community are aware of the School Travel Plan and what it aims to achieve. Target 1: All pupils and teachers will be made aware of the aim of the plan within six months of the plan s approval. There will be ongoing awareness of plan throughout the coming months (until the next review of the Travel Plan). Objective 2: Increase the numbers of pupils, who live in the village, walking and cycling to school Increase the numbers of pupils walking and cycling to school Target 2: Increase the numbers of pupils walking and cycling to school by 6% Objective 3: Reduce car use Reduce traffic and parking around school Target 3: Reduce the number of pupils being brought to school by car during the colder months by encouraging park and stride or joining the walking bus. Page 8 of 31
ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN BY THE SCHOOL Objective and Target 1 Action / initiative Person responsible for overseeing Start date Completion or review date Objective: To ensure that staff, parents and pupils are aware of the School Travel Plan and what it aims to achieve. Target: To make all pupils, parents and teachers aware of the aim of the plan six months on from the plan s approval. Include Travel Plan in School Improvement Plan Include as an agenda item at school governors RP&P meeting Newsletters / Assemblies/ Questionnaires Amanda Willis When STP reviewed Completed review, six months after STP is approved Mike Stene February 2015 Completed, review six months Amanda Willis When STP reviewed Started review six months Website Amanda Willis When STP reviewed After STP approval To ensure ongoing awareness of Travel Plan throughout school. Engage in Walk to School Weeks & The Big Pedal Raise awareness during Environmental Work, during Summer Term Eco Club When STP reviewed Ongoing Eco Club When STP reviewed Ongoing Page 9 of 31
Objective and Target 2 Action / initiative Person responsible for overseeing Start date Completion or review date Objective 2: Increase the numbers of pupils, who live in the village, walking and cycling to school Increase the numbers of pupils walking and cycling to school Target 2 Increase the numbers of pupils walking and cycling to school by 6% School Council to contact the Parish Council reference improving the situation regarding dog fouling. Work with local businesses & neighbourhood action group etc to highlight congestion problem Raise profile of Park and Stride, using Village Hall Car Park. Update cycle policy and raise profile Investigate plausibility of more Walking Buses. School Council When STP reviewed Within one year Mike Stene & Amanda Willis When STP reviewed Six monthly review Eco Club When STP reviewed Within one year Amanda Willis April 2015 September 2015 Amanda Willis When STP reviewed Within one year Page 10 of 31
Objective and Target 3 Action / initiative Person responsible for overseeing Start date Completion or review date Objective 3: Reduce Car Use Reduce traffic and parking around the school Target 3 Reduce the number of children brought by car during the colder months Liaise with Police to enforce parking restrictions Liaise with local businesses to reduce commercial traffic movements at beginning and end of school day Investigate feasibility of putting in flashing school signs around the school at school start and end times Investigate feasibility of 20mph zone / different layout / markings around the school. Raise profile of Park and Stride, using Village Hall Car Park. Improve car parking area making it easier for staff to park on site and increase parking capacity Amanda Willis When STP reviewed Annual review Mike Stene When STP reviewed Annual review Mike Stene When STP reviewed Within one year Mike Stene When STP reviewed Within one year Eco Club When STP reviewed Within one year Amanda Willis When STP reviewed Within one year Page 11 of 31
SUPPORTING MEASURES SUPPORTING MEASURE 1 Flashing School Signs, Speed Reduction and Pedestrian area improvements Desired measure/action, including full description of its location: Request OCC Highways/Parish Council. Including Review parking restrictions around school perimeter Implement speed reduction to 20mph and improved street design/shared surface to promote reduced speed/responsible driving Flashing school signs around the perimeter of the school Improve paving from Bow Road to Church Green Pelican crossings Hunterfield / Neville Road, Church Green. Why is it needed? Pedestrian safety. Will this encourage more children to walk, cycle or travel by bus? Yes. Why? Safer environment. How many children might change their travel behaviour? 50 What will the school do to support this change in travel habits? Advertise new restrictions and safer travel to school MONITORING, REVIEW AND OWNERSHIP (See page 9 of Compiling a School Travel Plan ). STP co-ordinator: Mike Stene Review Period: Every two years. Ownership: Headteacher and Chair of Governors have read, and given their support to this plan. Signatures on hard-copy: Headteacher: Chair of Governors: Page 12 of 31
Appendix A Figure 1 - Bow Road, Lack of pedestrian protection. Bow Road, Lack of pedestrian protection. Adverse camber on sharp bend, cars often mount the pavement and have on occasion crashed at this point. Figure 2 - Bow Road - pavements less than 1m wide Page 13 of 31
Figure 3 - Church Green narrow pavements Church Green, Example of narrow pavements - pedestrians likely to be injured or splashed by passing cars. Figure 4 High Street / Horsecroft, Sharp blind bend Page 14 of 31
Figure 5 - Huntersfield Road parking on pavements Figure 6 - Huntersfield Road at pick up time Page 15 of 31
. Figure 7 - High Street Page 16 of 31
Appendix B Route from Forest Grove This is an estate attached to the village. Those residents questioned said that the route to school was short and safe, the only potential hazard being in crossing Huntersfield Road. The hazard referred to is crossing between densely parked cars near to bends. Traffic, may not always be speeding but may still be travelling to fast to be safe. Route From Bow Road to Stanford School This is probably the longest route to school walked by children at approx 1 mile. The first danger is a sharp bend in Bow Road this combines with adverse camber of the road to produce a serious hazard. There is only a single pavement at this point so pedestrians have no choice but to walk on the outside of the bend. This is extremely dangerous as speeding cars often mount the pavement at this point and there is no protection for pedestrians. Vehicles have in past not only mounted the pavement but crashed into the wall. Several hundred metres on the road straightens however the pavement then narrows to less than 1 metre bringing pedestrians inevitably very close to the often speeding traffic. Journey from Spencers Close to Stanford in the Vale Primary School Spencers Close has no pavement or cycle path. High Street does have a reasonable width pavement. Cars pulling out of drives and St. Denys Close Cars parked and reversing off the forecourt in front of the hairdressers Difficulties crossing Huntersfield to the school entrance due to: Poor visibility Cars parked on the pavement Cars parked on the zig-zag lines Cars dropping off/picking up children Cars driving round the corner too fast Page 17 of 31
Appendix C SURVEY SUMMARY The parents/guardians were surveyed in November 2014 the survey was undertaken electronically and by paper 40% of the total population responded. The survey issued can be found in Appendix D. In order to get a feel for the spread of opinion on the safety of routes to school within the village, we asked How safe do you consider your route to be? We coded the answers received, ranging from Very safe through to Dangerous. How safe do you consider your route to be? Dangerous 4% Unsafe 8% Fairly safe 76% Very safe Fairly safe Unsafe Dangerous Very safe 12% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% In summary, 88% of respondents believe their journey to be safe or very safe. 12% of respondents believe their journey was unsafe or dangerous this was only 4% in January 2013, so peoples perception is their journey is slightly less safe. The survey findings were - significant traffic, parking and congestion in the centre of the village combined with excessive or inappropriate or excessive speed were creating a hazardous environment at pick up and drop off times. Specific hazards identified are summarised: A417 Crossing the A417 which is very busy with fast vehicles Church Green Narrow pavement along the side of the school wall. Vehicles travel very fast along the road. Visibility difficult at times for drivers. Huntersfield Road Many vehicles parked at the school end and on grass verges, making it dangerous to cross the road Neville Way / tight bend on Huntersfield - children cross over from Neville Way. Traffic on Huntersfield can travel too fast especially at a time when so many young people are walking/crossing. Page 18 of 31
High Street / Church Green/corner with Horsecroft Vehicles travelling too fast around the blind corner, pavement provision is narrow, yet it s a regular crossing point Bow Road narrow paths, history of vehicles mounting pavements & wing mirror strikes on pedestrians High Street speed of vehicles is excessive, lots of vehicle movements at pick up time around school and co-operative makes it dangerous to cross IMPROVEMENT OPPORUNITIES The morning and afternoon drop off/collection times are also a busy time for the Co-op, in part because parents take the opportunity to make some purchases, which compounds the congestion. This is not just an issue for the school at these busy times the High Street tends to become quite congested and is therefore less safe for all users. Of course the level of traffic flow at these times is also significantly higher as commuters and people on runs to other schools are driving through the village. Various suggestions have been put forward which could be pursued with the appropriate agencies as to the likely efficacy, viability, and feasibility. New signage / Flashing signage School / Speed warning signs Speed restrictions/shared surface encouraging lower speeds on the High Street from junction with Horsecroft to the Hairdresser and around into Huntersfield Pelican type crossing around the village green area and Huntersfield/Neville Way No parking zones / Parking restrictions on the High Street and Huntersfield. 5 minute walking zone (like Highworth) double yellow lines all along Huntersfield from the high street to at least the first bend on both sides of the road. New access point to site from Church Green at rear of playing fields Relocate or have two cycle/scooter areas to minimise pedestrian traffic on narrow front pavement Improvements to pavements on Bow Road side of the village. Liaise with the shops/businesses to try to stop deliveries taking place during the key times. Campaigns on speed, illegal parking etc. - Encourage the cars off the pavements More Traffic Awareness education for the pupils. Continuing to encourage walking and cycling. Commencement of more walking buses. Page 19 of 31
CYCLING In the last Travel Plan some of the issues that were raised by parents were addressed most notably increased cycling training now that we have a member of staff qualified to run this. However a continued concern has been identified which is that the last part of the journey to get to the secure cycle area is along the High Street with all the dangers that have already been documented. So an alternative route onto the school premises through the Millennium Green is in the process of coming to fruition that would negate the need to use the High Street and it is hoped that more parents would be inclined to cycle with or be happy for their children to cycle to school. WALKING Since the last Travel Plan we have set up a weekly Walking Wednesday from the Village Hall car park. A good number of parents have expressed an interest in more walking buses. Further research needs to be done here to establish the possible routes and the number of people who really would use this method. CAR USE Since the last Travel Plan car usage has decreased, which is great news. Annual walk to school week schemes have had some noticeable impact. NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS Poets Place is expected to make minimal impact on traffic, however the Strategic site will have a material impact and needs to be studies further. Page 20 of 31
Appendix D QUESTIONNAIRE FOR PARENTS 14 th November 2014 TRAVEL TO SCHOOL QUESTIONNAIRE FOR PARENTS Dear Parent It is time to revisit our School Travel Plan where we can embrace parents views to help identify hazards on your journey to school. The ultimate aim of the School Travel Plan is to create an environment that encourages more people to walk, bicycle or scoot to and from school, and to improve the safety of the journeys for all. This survey will provide some key insights into the actual journeys undertaken and any the harards encountered. These will be captured in the School Travel Plan - covering pedestrian safety, parking and congestion. This will be used to improve the safety of the journey to and from our school. We have engagement with OCC road safety team to try to follow through on improvements we identify. We need to understand the problems and dangers people encounter travelling to and from school, in order to make a detailed case for changes backed up by facts and figures. Please help us by completing the accompanying Travel to School Questionnaire. This can be completed on-line here (https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/yxznpth) or on paper and returned to the school office before Friday 24th November 2014, copies available at the office. Thank you for your assistance and cooperation Amanda Willis Headteacher Mike Stene Governor Page 21 of 31
Travel to School Questionnaire (Please return to school by 24 th November 2014) SECTION ONE: (to be answered by everyone) Your reply will be anonymous, but your postcode would help us to work out the walking and car journey routes which people use 1 Your postcode. 2 Your child/children s age(s) SECTION TWO: (to be answered by everyone) About your child/children s journey to school 3 How does your child/children travel to and from school? Walk - all the way Bicycle / Scoot Car Park at village hall and walk Other (Please specify if Other.) 4 If you could choose, how would you prefer your child to be able to travel to school? Walk - all the way Bicycle / Scoot Car Park at village hall and walk Other (Please specify if Other.) Page 22 of 31
SECTION THREE: (to be answered by everyone) Hazard and risk perception 5 How safe do you consider your route to be? (Please tick one box only) Very safe Fairly safe Unsafe Dangerous Please identify any specific causes of danger - including the problem and locations it effects : LOCATION (Street name if possible)+problem (e.g. no safe place to cross) A.... B.... C.. 6 During your usual journey to school, do you experience any of the following problems? (Please tick as many boxes as necessary) Excessive / Inappropriate Speed of traffic Congestion / Slow speed of traffic Hazardous environment - too much traffic/parked cars/congestion Parking difficult near the school Other. Please identify any specific causes of danger - including the problem and locations it effects........ Page 23 of 31
SECTION FOUR: (to be answered by car users only) Road User Perspective 7 Is the journey to school usually: (Please tick as many boxes as necessary) a journey specially to take children to school? a combined journey, i.e. to work, other schools etc? part of a car share arrangement? part of child care arrangements? the only viable way of getting there? more convenient than the alternatives? SECTION FIVE: cycle) (please answer this section if your children usually walk, scoot or 8 When considering the pavements which you use on your journey to school, please highlight which of the statements below you agree with (Tick all that are apply) The pavement space is about right The pavements are too narrow There is not enough pavement space for the number of users There is not enough safe places to cross the road There are too many children cycling on the pavement There are too many children scooting on the pavement Other (please specify) Can you suggest any particular improvements which could make our school journeys safer? Or would promote walking, scooting or cycling as the preferred travel method for our children?... Page 24 of 31
9 Walking Bus We have our Walking Wednesday, where we meet at the Village Hall and parents, with their children walk to school. A walking bus is a group of children walking to/from school together with parent volunteers who take it in turns to escort them. It follows a set route, stopping at agreed pick up points. If this was extended to a daily Walking Bus would you be prepared to park and walk, i.e. park a bit away from the school and walk the rest of the way? Yes, great idea No, I would rather park by the school Maybe sometimes Not practical THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO ANSWER THIS SURVEY Please add any other comments overleaf Please return your questionnaire by 24 th November 2014 Page 25 of 31
APPENDIX E SURVEY RESULTS & ANALYSIS Stanford in the Vale Travel Survey November 2014 Survey Coverage Survey responses covered only 80 children (40%) and 55 households. 6 households (11%) were outside the village (i.e. 15 minute walk zone ). Figure 1 - Journey Origins 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Founda on Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Grand Total Outside 15-minute Walking Zone Inside 15-minute Walking Zone Figure 2 - Journey Origins by year group Page 26 of 31
Figure 3-15 minute Walking Zone Mode of Travel 78% of Children actually Walk, Cycle or Scoot to school, 89% would like to Walk, Cycle or Scoot. 18% of Children arrive by Car, which reduces to 9% when desired travel mode is considered. How does your child/children travel to/from school? Other (please specify) 0% 2% Park at village hall and walk 1% 3% Car 9% 18% Desired mode Actual Mode Bicycle / Scoot 30% 34% Walk - all the way 48% 55% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Figure 4 - Actual and Desired Mode of Travel Page 27 of 31
This implies approximately 9% of the pupil journeys to school which today occur by car, could potentially be shifted to Walk, Cycle or Scoot with the right conditions, however only about half of these are specific school journeys rather than combined journeys. Further inspection of the survey data shows this mode change almost exclusively occurring in households between 500 meters and 700 meters from the school. Is the journey to school usually... more convenient than the alterna ves?, 2% Other, 3% part of child care, 2% car share, 0% the only viable way of ge ng there?, 11% a journey specially to take children to school?, 53% a combined journey, i.e. to work, other schools, pre-schools etc?, 30% Figure 5 - Type of Journey Page 28 of 31
Hazard Perception How safe do you consider your route to be? Dangerous 4% Unsafe 8% Fairly safe 76% Very safe Fairly safe Unsafe Dangerous Very safe 12% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% Figure 6 - Safety Perception 88% of respondents believe their journey to be safe or very safe. 12% of respondents believe their journey was unsafe or dangerous. During your usual journey to school, do you experience any of the following problems? Other 18% Parking difficult near the school 18% Hazardous environment - too much traffic/parked cars/conges on 28% Conges on / Slow speed of traffic 9% Excessive / Inappropriate Speed of traffic 27% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% Figure 7 - Usual Journey Assessment Page 29 of 31
The survey findings were at pick up and drop off times - significant traffic, parking and congestion in the centre of the village combined with excessive or inappropriate or excessive speed were creating a hazardous environment. Specific hazards identified are summarised: A417 Crossing the A417 which is very busy with fast vehicles Church Green Narrow pavement along the side of the school wall. Vehicles travel very fast along the road. Visibility difficult at times for drivers. Huntersfield Road Many vehicles parked at the school end and on grass verges, making it dangerous to cross the road Neville Way / tight bend on Huntersfield - children cross over from Neville Way. Traffic on Huntersfield can travel too fast especially at a time when so many young people are walking/crossing. High Street / Church Green/corner with Horsecroft Vehicles travelling too fast around the blind corner, pavement provision is narrow, yet it s a regular crossing point Bow Road narrow paths, history of vehicles mounting pavements & wing mirror strikes on pedestrians High Street speed of vehicles is excessive, lots of vehicle movements at pick up time around school and co-operative makes it dangerous to cross When considering the pavements which you use on your journey to school, please highlight which of the statements below you agree with. The pavement space is about right The pavements are too narrow There is not enough pavement space for the number of users There is not enough safe places to cross the road There are too many children cycling on the pavement There are too many children scoo ng on the pavement Figure 8 Paving Assessment Experience of pavement safety varied significantly, this correlates with which route is followed to access the school the comments on narrow or insufficient paving and difficulty in crossing points tended to relate to responses where the postcode indicates likely route would involve access via Church Green, Horsecroft and High Street access to the front of the school. Page 30 of 31
Daily Walking Bus would you be prepared to park and walk, i.e. park a bit away from the school and walk the rest of the way? Not prac cal No, I would rather park by the school Maybe some mes Yes, great idea 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% Figure 9 - Walking Bus The expansion of the Walking Bus was popular with about a third of households, however the majority of these households already walk, cycle or scoot to school. IMPROVEMENT SUGGESTIONS Response identified a number of improvements that have been summarised below: New signage / Flashing signage School / Speed warning signs Speed restrictions/shared surface encouraging lower speeds on the High Street from junction with Horsecroft to the Hairdresser and around into Huntersfield Pelican type crossing around the village green area and Huntersfield/Neville Way No parking zones / Parking restrictions on the High Street and Huntersfield. 5 minute walking zone (like Highworth) double yellow lines all along Huntersfield from the high street to at least the first bend on both sides of the road. New access point to site from Church Green at rear of playing fields Relocate or have two cycle/scooter areas to minimise pedestrian traffic on narrow front pavement Improvements to pavements on Bow Road side of the village. Liaise with the shops/businesses to try to stop deliveries taking place during the key times. Campaigns on speed, illegal parking etc. - Encourage the cars off the pavements More Traffic Awareness education for the pupils. Continuing to encourage walking and cycling. Commencement of more walking buses. Page 31 of 31
Impacts of additional housing The middle point of the new Poets Place site is about 650 meters from the school, following OCC expected pupil numbers for additional housing this on average when fully populated is expected to generate an additional demand of 18 children which equates to 12 cars if all households drive (highlight likely based on mode of travel analysis from the survey). It is assumed that these children would displace children from further away and therefore the traffic impact should be negligible. The strategic site is further away and outside the 15 minute walk zone, the travel mode from the survey for people over 1000 meters away is almost exclusively to drive, following OCC expected pupil numbers for additional housing this on average when fully populated is expected to generate an additional demand of 50 children which equates to an additional 34 cars. A large proportion of this would be in addition to the current vehicular load. It is recommended as part of the school expansion study that the impact of this additional load be further evaluated. Page 32 of 31