Burbage Day Nursery

Nature Trails Day Nursery- Travel Plan

Rationale

The proposed operates from a large detached Farmhouse in Cawston. The premises backs onto farm land and farm stores to the rear and one side of the property respectively, with one residential property attached to these buildings to the far side. There is another residential property in the woodland behind using separate access beyond the top of the farm drive. The premises are well located on the main access road from Rugby and the A45. The location of the proposed nursery complies with Government policy which indicates that Early Years provision should be within easy travelling distance for parents to work or education.

Contemporary policy about educational facilities indicates that comprehensive school travel plans can make a difference to people’s decision about transport use. Part of such an approach means careful decisions need to be made about the amount of parking to be provided on site so that people (parents, staff and authorised visitors) have to make decisions about transport. Considerable effort has been made with this proposal to balance the need safe access for users of the nursery with the need to support Rugby Borough Councils stated aims to adopt a stance which actively encourages alternatives to car use.

Legal and Policy considerations The Travel Plan for the nursery has been written to reflect the legal and policy guidance. The transport specific information should be considered in the context of the statutory requirement for Local Authorities to secure sufficient childcare (Children Act 2006).

The existing legal framework includes PPG 13 Transport (March 2001) and then, in relation to the use of planning conditions or planning agreements to achieve travel plans: circular 11/95. The Use of Conditions in Planning Permission; Sections 54A, 70 and 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and Circular 1/97 (Planning Obligations). Sections 38 and 278 of the Highways Act 1980 are also relevant. Climate Change and its link to planning is explained in: The Planning Response to Climate Change – Advice on Better Practice (ODPM 2004). Guidance of relevance to children is contained in Child Road Safety – achieving the 2010 target (DfT 2002) and Travel to School (DfT 2008). The importance of physical exercise is explained in promoting and creating built or natural environments that encourage and support physical activity.

Specifically on the matter of School Travel Plans, reference is made to Travelling to School: an action plan (DfES, DfT 2003), Developing a School Travel Plan: Information for parents and schools (Sustrans FS16) . Travel Plans are referred to in para 88 of PPG 13 (March 2001). This states:

“There is no standard format or content for travel plans…” “However, their relevance to planning lies in the delivery of sustainable transport objectives including:

1 . Reductions in car usage (particularly single occupancy journeys) and increased use of public transport, walking and cycling . Reduced traffic speeds and improved road safety and personal safety particularly for pedestrians and cyclists; and . More friendly delivery and freight movements, including home delivery services.”

Research by the Department for Transport (using the planning process to secure travel plans, 2000) concerning the way the elements of the travel plan ‘package’ are legally linked to the planning application and linked to each other. PPG 13 explains the importance travel plans that ‘co-ordinate a package of various measures’ such as; promotion of walking and cycling, promoting enhanced public transport, reducing car access and parking, and organisational measures and car sharing schemes. All of these should be tailored to the particular circumstances of the development.

Circular 11/95 suggests the following transport measures; . Provision of secure cycle parking and changing facilities and safe pedestrian and cycle routes; . Provision of facilities for public transport, such as bus stops and lay-bys . Specifying the number of parking spaces, and their size, including those for disabled people; . The management and the use of parking spaces, so that, for example, priority is given to certain categories of people, eg disabled people, people with children, visitors or cars with more than one occupant; . The removal of parking spaces (other than those for disabled people) after a specified period, or when access to the site is improved by public transport, walking and cycling access to the site, including information for disabled people.

Current concerns relating to the Environment are addressed in The Planning Response to Climate Change – Advice on Better Practice (2004) reiterates the objectives in PPW, PPG13 and NPPG17 namely to: . Promote more sustainable transport choices for both people and for moving freight . Promote accessibility to jobs, shopping, leisure facilities and services by public transport . Walking a cycling . Reduce the need to travel especially by car.

Some useful suggestions in this document include: . Encourage shared car parking (eg office, cinema, church) . Encourage non-car modes of transport . Encourage the setting up of a car club

Concern about the health and well being of children include the need to promote healthy lifestyles. This means that physical activity is an important part of children’s well being and future health, particularly in preventing obesity and the associated range of chronic diseases such as heart disease, strokes and diabetes in adulthood.

2 The National Institute for Clinical Excellence produced guidance (NICE public health guidance 8 2008) – Promoting and creating built or natural environments that encourage and support physical activity. The strategies, policies and plans in this document may be summarised as: . Ensure planning applications for new developments always prioritise the need for people (including those whose mobility is impaired) to be physically active as routine part of their daily life . Ensure pedestrians, cyclists and users of other modes of transport that involve physical activity are given the highest priority when developing or maintaining streets or roads (this includes people whose mobility is impaired) . Ensure new workplaces are linked to walking and cycling networks . During building design or refurbishment, ensure staircases are attractive to use and clearly signposted to encourage people to use them

1 Predicted travel demand pattern The characteristics of Coventry Road, Cawston are that it is a 40 mph road, with clearway parking restrictions. A pavement exists on the opposite side to Cawston farm House which lead to the Cawston Grange Estate and the centre of Bilton. The property is within walking distance of local school and the centre of Cawston Grange Estate. The nursery is 700 mtrs from the nearest bus route 4 bus stop that stops on the edge of the estate.

The proposed increase in places nursery will increase capacity from 68 to 88 places. Sixteen to twenty whole time equivalent staff will care for the children, depending on the time of the year (September until February having lower numbers on roll).

The proposed new unit will comply with access requirements for children with disability or special educational needs. To disabled car parking spaces are already allocated.

The operating period for the nursery will reflects the length of the parents’ working day: from 07.30 and 18.00 Mondays to Fridays inclusive. The majority of children will be ‘dropped off’ between 0800 and 0830 and collected between 16.30 and 18.00. There may be open days and parent visiting on occasional Saturday mornings (not likely to be more than one per term). The nursery opens for 51 weeks per year (with one week closure at Christmas). The nursery is closed on Bank Holidays.

It should be noted that drop off and pick up times for children are staggered throughout the busiest times. There is no specific peak time (as in schools) as parents take and collect their children to suit their own family needs and working day.

Staff arrive at and leave the nursery before the children and parents arrival and departure in the morning and evening. Current lunchtime supervisors are local and arrive on foot or are dropped off by another. Staff are encouraged to make travel arrangements which include, walking, public transport, cycling and car sharing. Part time staff who have to travel by car will be expected to share a car parking space. Visitors and students are encouraged to visit the nursery outside of busy times when parents wish to use space to drop off or pick up children. Most students do not run a car for travel to work.

3 1.1 Travel patterns

National data does not exist for travel to day care for the 0-5 years age range. However, results from the national travel surveys for the 5-10 years age group show that 52% walk, 41% travel by car, 5% by bus, 1% by bicycle and 1% other. Local schools already have travel plans in place and the nursery aims to complement these.

Finally, those parents using cars for dropping off older children will be encouraged to car share (by taking turns in drop off and collection). Such a policy would need to comply with Ofsted policy on ensuring that children are only collected by persons authorised by parents. Safety features on site include unallocated car parking for child ‘drop-off’.

Specific data showing the daily number/movements of vehicles to the site will be available by audit once the nursery is at capacity. The aim is to keep these to the minimum by the measures stated below.

2 Proposed additional site facilities The space available to the front elevation of the property is adequate for this proposal. Designated cycle spaces (5 in no) and pushchair storage will be provided. The space available to the front elevation of the property is adequate for this proposal. There is a bus stop located on the Cawston Grange Estate. The proposed is within walking distance of the local school, with pavements on the opposite side of the public highway. When going on visits to Bilton shops or to catch the bus the children will use the ‘walking bus’ or buggies, according to their age.

2.1 Parents/children It is possible for local parents/children and staff to cycle to the nursery and this will be encouraged by the provision of five cycle storage spaces outside (see plan).

The good pavement available on the opposite side of the road facilitates easy walking and pushchair use for parents and children when attending the nursery.

2.2 Community visits The proposed nursery is well located to facilitate community involvement. There are a number of double buggies that are used for trips to the local park. Older children walk or catch the bus for day trips and are fully supervised in a “walking crocodile” by an increased number of key staff.

2.3 Staff The staff handbook and contract of employment will refer to the school travel plan policy for staff. In accordance with contemporary best practice staff are encouraged to walk, cycle or use the bus for travel to work. A car sharing scheme is in operation. Bus timetables are available in the staff room. For staff who are ‘active commuters’ i.e. arriving by cycle or walking there are changing and shower facilities on site.

4 2.4 Students Many students live locally who are seeking a day care placement. Education providers will be advised that on-site parking will not be provided to students at busy times. Information is sent to students prior to attendance on walking, cycling and bus travel to the proposed nursery.

3 Consultation A parents’ forum is in operation at the nursery, both through face to face meetings and via a notice board. Data will be collected as required to inform travel action planning.

Staff meetings provide the vehicle for staff consultation.

4 Analysis/summary of key issues to underpin the proposed Action Plan The provision of care and education is linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and public health policy related the importance of physical activity and road safety. Considerable efforts will be made to ensure ‘buy in’ to the proposed action plan by parents, children and staff. Awareness of the school travel action plan will be achieved through, induction packs (parent and staff), notice boards, staff handbook.

5 Proposed Action Plan Please see attached plan.

6 Management of the programme The registered owner (Alison Dyke) will take responsibility for the travel plan.. Progress towards targets to be monitored by staff at staff meetings to achieve ownership.

5 Nature Trails Day Nursery Travel Plan: Action Plan

Objective: Develop sustainable travel - Nature Trails Target: Parents, Children, Staff Action Monitoring and Resources Required Responsibl Timescale Success Criteria Method Evaluation e Person(s) No. Description Time- Responsible Requirement Funding scale Person(s) 1 Policy: Alison Dyke Sept 2010 Awareness raising Prospectus Sept Alison Dyke Written Include reference to of need for Verbal 2010 guidance to N/A alternatives to car use sustainable travel to exposition to parents in prospectus for Nursery parents/staff parents and staff Record travel Website method at Parents forum Prospectus (parents) enrolment in Enrolment relation to postcode data

Staff induction to Staff handbook include travel plan Staff appraisal Written policy awareness for staff

2 Audit of parent/staff Alison Dyke Sept 2010 Data collection – Quantitative One year Alison Dyke Staff time for travel modes and Parents data – parents analysis N/A residences 1) stated at enrolment/ Staff compliance Staff travel employment with company policy mode audit

2) one year on

6 3 Curriculum: Alison Dyke Sept 2009 EYFS learning Ofsted One year Staff Road safety Raise awareness with - ongoing outcomes inspection equipment/tr N/A children – road safety, Records of aining events environmental issues, learning Environment Importance of outcomes al awareness exercise resources Exercise equipment

4 Car share club Alison Dyke Sept 2010 X % of parents who Measurable 5 years Alison Dyke Register of car share change in sharers behaviour over (audit Staff N/A X% of staff who car time annually) Parents share 5 Walking, cycling and Alison Dyke September 10% of parents Increase in 5 years Alison Dyke Survey public transport to 2010 who walk/cycle/use sustainable N/A Nursery public transport to travel (each (audit nursery method to be annually) differentiated) 10% of staff/walk/cycle/use Measurable public transport who change in walk to nursery behaviour over time