School travel planning

Schools develop travel plans to:

• reduce congestion
• encourage active and sustainable travel
• improve health
• reduce pollution
• help pupils get into 'sustainable travel habits' from an early age

Modeshift STARS

Schools across County Durham can develop, monitor and evaluate their school travel plan using Modeshift STARS (Sustainable Travel Accreditation and Recognition Scheme). This is a Department for Transport scheme to increase the number of children being active on the school run. There is a specific focus on walking and cycling to assist in the improvement of health and wellbeing.

It is an online travel planning system which allows schools to create their own school travel plan and track their progress. It has on-line 'hands up' travel surveys for class teachers to record information about how pupils travel to school. By repeating this survey a couple of times a year, a school can view progress made on encouraging sustainable travel.

The system can also be used by developers and consultants when planning sustainable transport in an area.

Resources

Guidance and access to the system is available on the School travel plan resources page.

Activities, events and initiatives

Schools use a range of activities, events and initiatives to deliver their school travel plan - find examples and ideas for your school on the School travel plan case studies page.