2019 Helsby High School Survey : Summary
Introduction : This ‘whole school’ survey was organised by Mr James Cooney, Assistant Head of HHS in December 2019. It was based on a Cycle North Cheshire questionnaire, which was designed to understand the methods pupils used to travel to school, their reasons & preferences and the nature & extent of any barriers which discourage them for either walking or cycling (Active travel). Over 2000 specific responses were received to the questions from 276 pupils. This represents a commendable 20% response rate from a total population of 1350 pupils. The raw data used to draft this summary and charts is taken from a spread sheet. Note : the numbers of pupils referred to in this Summary are extrapolated from the percentage responses to total number of pupils.
Questions Q : Where do you live?
Where do Helsby High School pupils live?
Frodsham Helsby Elton Other Runcorn & Aston % Distribution Kingsley Ellesmere Port Dunham Ashton Hayes
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Responses : i) Approx. 1053 (78%) of students live within a cycleable 3 mile radius but would need to travel on very busy sections of the A56. ii) Assuming that at least half of the pupils living in Frodsham and Helsby live within 1.5 miles of the school over 500 pupils could walk to school in good weather.
Q What year group are you in? Response : Bikeability level 3 is appropriate for all students but several sections of the A56 do not meet this level.
Q: How do you travel to school? 1. Currently 360 pupils (27%) walk to school 2. Currently 50 pupils (3%) cycle to school 3. Which means that 410 pupils (30%) either walk or cycle to school. i.e. Active mode 4. And 940 Pupils (70%) travel by bus or car only. i.e. Passive mode
How do you travel to school : %
Car
Bus
Walk % of pupils
Cycle
Other
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Q. How would you prefer to travel to school? Importantly : 1. 175 (11%) more pupils would prefer to cycle to school than do currently do so. 2. 168 (12.5%) of pupils would prefer to switch from a Passive Mode to an Active Mode
Why pupils choose to cycle or walk to school : % frequency
It is good for my overall fitness
I like walking
My friends walk
It is good for environment % Frequency It's cheaper
It's quicker ; I live nearby
Practical reasons (parents working/no car)
0 10 20 30 40 50
Walkers' least safe situations : % frequency
Narrow roads with no, inadaquate, icy, or wet pavements
Junctions and crossings : A56
Cars driven to fast / no empathy % Frequency
Fast bikes on pavements
Polluted air
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Specifically : For “Narrow roads with either no, narrow, flooded, restricted (by hedges), icy, or wet pavements” Locations : Howey Ln (most), Chester Rd in Frodsham, Helsby Church, Bates Ln, back lanes, ice & hedges, icy/wet school bridge Cyclists' least safe situations : % frequency
Narrow roads, parked cars & no/inadequate bike lanes
Entrance to & from school & car park
Insecure & exposed (to weather) bike sheds % Frequency
Junctions (M56 14 & Howey Ln).
Lack of driver empathy
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Specifically : For “Narrow roads, Parked cars, no or inadequate bike lanes Locations : A56 (One Stop in Helsby & Chester Rd, Frodsham), Howey Lane, & Ship St.
Ref : Summary of Helsby High School Surveys v200103.docx