Transport to School

• affects all children


• involves health, safety and physical activity


• impacts upon traffic congestion and pollution levels


• can be a positive factor in community and family social development


• sets habits and trends in the parents and commuters of the future


• raises environmental and sustainability issues

The Scottish Executive responded to this in summer 2003 by announcing funding for School Travel Co-ordinators to be appointed in every local authority area. The task of these co-ordinators is to assist every school to draw up their own Travel Plan, identifying specific needs, problems and opportunities, and to slow down the increasing trend of parents and children making car journeys from home to school and back each day. Argyll and Bute Council aim to have Travel Plans in place in all of their schools by 2007.

School Travel Plans will specifically encourage active and sustainable travel options – walking and cycling, but also will promote car sharing and the use of public transport. They will also show local authorities where they can most effectively invest, and show the school and community how they can make the maximum use of existing and new resources available to them.

For further details please contact the Sustainable Travel Coordinator