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Many parents complain about the traffic at the school gate but don't appreciate that they are that traffic.
Increased car use for the school journey now means that one in five cars on urban roads at 8.50am is taking children
to school.
We receive many calls from concerned headteachers and parents about the perceived dangers outside schools
at the beginning and end of the school day due to vehicle congestion outside the school entrance. Unfortunately, in many cases,
it is parents who are the cause of the problem.
So parents, we really need you to think carefully about your child's journey to school and ask yourself - do I really need to drive?
Did you know that 11% of Primary school children are driven less than half a mile everyday? That's over 1000 miles a day!
Children who are driven to school:
- gain very few road safety and personal safety skills;
- are less inclined to walk or cycle when they are older;
- have reduced independence;
- are denied the opportunity for regular exercise twice a day;
- have a reduced amount of social interaction with their peers and carers; and
- are subjected to more pollution than if they were walking at the side of a road.
There are alternatives to the car, including walking, cycling, dedicated school buses and public transport.
For information about travelling to school please contact the Travel Plan Officer on 234968 or email transportation@stoke.gov.uk.