T Junction

How do you get to school in the morning? Do you catch the school bus; do you get a lift in the car or do you walk or cycle?

However you travel, there are a few things you should bear in mind when journeying to and from school. Schools and the roads around them are really busy places at the time when you are travelling to and from them. Check out the Think! Website to get you thinking about the dangers you face everyday.

Cycling and walking to school is being encouraged as an alternative to the car over short distances and schools are developing travel plans to encourage this, with suggestions for improvements to support safer routes to school.  Ask at your school for details on what is being done to help you walk or cycle, or contact the Travel Choice & Access Team:

School Travel Plans
Travel Choice & Access Team
0116 305 7178
TravelChoiceandAccess@leics.gov.uk

If you get a lift to school be aware that there are usually parking restrictions outside schools, find a safe place to be dropped off and perhaps arrange to be picked up from the same place. You will probably find more parking places further from the school, you will then have a short walk for the rest of your journey but that is no bad thing. If you have to wait for your lift home to arrive, find a safe place to wait, wait with friends if possible or wait in the school for a little longer.

Travelling by bus

If you catch the bus to school, the ‘Safer Travel’ team offers information and guidance on how to use school buses – click here to find out more.

Safer Cycling to School

A good example of a scheme to improve the journey to and from school is at Roundhill Academy. To encourage more of the pupils to cycle to school pavements near to the school have been widened and made shared use for cyclists and pedestrians.

A toucan crossing has been installed and cycle lanes have been created connecting to the wider cycle network. A School Safety Zone has been introduced with flashing amber warning lights and vehicle activated signs. As well as encouraging some pupils to cycle to school, these measures will make the journey to school safer for all pupils of Roundhill Academy.