Lorton School

School Travel Plan

January 2010

Lorton School

Map mosaic representing all the settlements in the school catchment area - reflecting the rural community.

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Contents page

1. School details 4

2. Working party – to develop and implement the plan 12

3. Survey and route plotting carried out 13

4. Summary of transport and road safety problems 16

5. Working party recommendations for action 18

6. Targets – specific % targets for modal shift by yearly review date 18

7. Action plans 19-23

8. Review of targets 24

9. Cycle Count 24

10. Monitoring training 25

11. Comments and notes 26

12. Signed agreement 27

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1 School details

DCSF school reference number 909/ 2123

Type of school Primary

Number on roll (including no. of SEN pupils with a brief description of subsequent impact on 71 – 2 SEN, both using school transport with no special transport needs. travel) Number of staff (It is highly recommended that a supplementary 9 Travel Plan for staff and other school users is developed) Age range of pupils 4 to 11

School contact details

Head teacher Olivia Harrison High Lorton Address COCKERMOUTH

Postcode CA13 9UL Telephone number 01900 325700 Fax 01900 325700

Email address [email protected]

http://www.lorton.cumbria.sch.uk/ Website

Working group contact

Name Olivia Harrison

High Lorton Address COCKERMOUTH Cumbria

Telephone number 01900 325700 Email address [email protected]

4 School situation and use

Lorton School is in the Vale of Lorton in the National Park, surrounded by fells the villages of High and School Catchment Area Low Lorton are close to each other with the school on the road that links the two. There is no speed limit in the village. The main industries are agriculture and tourism. Children travel from Gatesgarth, and to the south and from Cockermouth to the north. The Map on page 6 indicates the diversity of the area.

Normal school hours are from 9:00am till 3:00pm. After school clubs run on a Tuesday evening from 3:05pm till 4:05 pm, topics include arts and crafts plus African drumming. We walk to Lorton Church for services 5 times a year.

Members of the community help in school - we are part of the Rotary Readers scheme. Members of the community attend a 'Community Lunch' held at school once per month. The school contributes to the local parish magazines.

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School Location

Cockermouth, some of us travel from here

Lake District Lorton School National Park boundary

Loweswater, some of us live here

Buttermere and Gatesgarth, some of us travel from here.

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Aerial view – High Lorton

Lorton Church

High Lorton

To Low Lorton

Our School

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The Adventure playground

Enjoying some of the play equipment at break time

African Drumming After School Club.

8 Transport Links

More detailed information can be found in appendix A Main entrance, the school buses park Entrances here, when they are here it is not possible for 2 vehicles to pass, the To Low Lorton buses use a voluntary one-way system through the village, leaving in the direction of Low Lorton.

Public transport

Cumbria Passenger Transport Map is included in appendix A1 . The location of our school is marked on this Map showing that the nearest railway station is in approximately 10 miles away well outside out catchment area. There are bus stops in both High and Low Lorton. Services 949 operates three buses a day between Buttermere in the south and Cockermouth to the north, it offers a dial a ride service for those living in both High and Low Lorton. Non of these times fit in with school hours. Services 77/77A – the Honister Rambler only operates between April and October linking Keswick to Buttermere and the visitors centre at Whinlatter. Locations of the bus stops and full details of services 949 and 77/77A are in appendices A2 and A3 respectively

School bus routes

Three local authority buses run to Embleton (2 vehicles) and Loweswater and Buttermere. Two more mini-buses, organized by parents run to Cockermouth. One of the contractors occasionally uses a taxi. There vehicles all approach the school from High Lorton Village and leave towards Low Lorton, this is to ease congestion outside the school as when they are parked it reduces the highway to single carriageway. Many locals recognise this and use a similar route to avoid the school at pick up and drop off times. However, as a tourist destination visitors to the area are not aware of this and conflict can occur. No other children are allowed to leave the school until after the buses have left on an afternoon. The routes used by the buses are shown in Appendix A4

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Walk routes

There are a limited number of footways within the village the surrounding roads are narrow with no footways. Hence only parents of children from within Low Lorton are comfortable with their children walking to school. The children also walk to Lorton church. Appendix A5 shows the routes used to school and the church.

Cycle routes

One cycle route was identified during the route plotting again as with walking parents are reluctant for their children to bike to school. The route identified is shown in appendix A6 NCR 71, the C2C passes though Low Lorton and to the south of High Lorton, this can be seen along with the rights of Way in the area on the map in Appendix A8

Car routes

A number of routes were identified during route plotting , this included trips from Cockermouth some outlying farms near Stanger to the north and Brackenthwaite to the south of the school. Parents using cars tend to park away from the school the centre of Low Lorton to avoid the congestion at school times. The also have to wait until the school buses have left before they collect their children. Identified car routes are marked on the plan in Appendix A7.

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Aims

Due to the very rural nature of the area and the limited opportunities for children to walk or cycle to school the potential to encourage other forms of transport is limited. For this reason this plan aims to focus on.

Raising awareness of the impact of transport choices on the: Health and fitness levels of the pupils The environmental impact of travel choices

Encouraging safe use of the highway at all times: Equip the children with knowledge and skills to stay safe on the roads. Road and personal safety awareness. Space outside the school is limited and the highway narrow and reduction in the numbers doing the ‘school run’ would be beneficial. It should be noted that the buses using the school have a voluntary one way system to avoid meeting each other and many locals also use this route during school entry and egress. Issues arise when non-locals, there are a number of holiday let houses in the area meet oncoming vehicles and there is little room to manouevre.

Objectives (linked to Action Plan – Section 7)

To promote the Aims of our Travel Plan we will.

Awareness of the impact of travel choices: 1. Increase travel and health awareness See Actions 7.4 and 7.5.

Encouraging safe use of the highway: 2. Provide cycle training 3. Provide pedestrian training 4. Improved cycle storage/parents shelter facilities. There is an existing light opposite the school but because of its position and the buildings there is no light on the school gates/entrance. 5. Encourage use of the school bus. 6. Inform/encourage parents of the need to park safely within the vicinity of the school. See Actions 7.1 to 7.5.

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2 Working party – to develop and implement the plan

Name Position Responsibility within working party Olivia Harrison Head Teacher Chair Eric Nicholson County Cllr Local advice Andrew Butler Area Engineer Highways Advice Kevin Cosgrove Highway contact Highways Advice Betty Franklin BWTS Capita Symonds BWTS Advisor Sally Scales Neighbourhood Development Link to local community Officer

Consultation

Name/position Subject/how the consultation took place Date Appendix no. Pupils Route plotting carried out with Abi, Jenny and Nancy from 23/06/09 A5, A6, A7 & BWTS. The routes defined are shown on the maps in appendix A8 A and issues raised are in Section 3. Pupils On-line surveys a summary is in Section 3 and the full reports 03/11/09 B1 in Appendix B1.

Pupils Each Friday afternoon the whole school hold a School Council Weekly Assembly, where even the very youngest take an active part. discussion N/A Transport issues and the Travel Plan was discussed by the school as it developed in these meetings. Working Group The Working Group were set up to guide the plan and held 2 21/10/09 B4 meetings. Those unable to attend were emailed copies of the and Meeting notes. 25/11/09 Parents A newsletter/letters are sent to parents at least one a month (more if necessary). Copies of the newsletter and all letters Monthly D5 are available on the school web site. Parents/Wider Community D2 Website:

The website is updated regularly with information covering all aspects of the school and includes newsletters, timetables and details of curriculum and activities.

http://www.lorton.cumbria.sch.uk

12 3 Survey and route plotting

Baseline Data Survey

How do you travel to school? Date of No. Bus Car/Van Car Share Cycling Rail Walk Taxi survey Year of (dd/mm No No No No N N pupils % % % % No. % % % ) . . . . o o

2009 3/11/09 59 21 36 19 32 4 7 4 7 - - 6 10 5 8

How would you like to travel to school? Date of Car No. Bus Car/Van Cycling Rail Walk Other Survey Share Year of (dd/mm No N No No No N pupils % % % % % % No. % ) . o. . . . o.

2009 3/11/09 49 11 22 1 2 2 4 21 43 8 16 4 8 2 4

On-line survey notes

The 10 children from the infants were not asked how they would like to travel to school.

One of the contractors providing the school buses, uses a taxi therefore those coming to school by taxi are really using school transport therefore we can assume that 44% regularly use the school bus. Almost 1/3 come by car, given the rural nature, the distances between settlements and the narrowness of the highway in places this would seem reasonable. When asked why their parents would not let them walk or bike the responses were –worries over personal and road safety. Those walking were all from within the village of High Lorton.

When asked how they would like to travel to school 43% said they would like to travel by bike and 8% would like to walk, but the rural nature of the area, distances and congestion by the school in the morning and at night parents are not willing to allow children to travel alone on their bikes. Therefore as the children are obviously keen and like to ride their bikes, the focus of this plan should be on giving them the skills to use the highway safely.

16% chose rail, this indicates that the children are aware of other modes of transport as options, but as the nearest railway station is 10 miles away the train is not a viable mode,

13 Route Plotting Year Date of route plotting Year Groups No. of pupils

2009 23rd June 2009 5 15

Route Plotting Notes

Numbers travelling to school by: Car 7 Bus 4 Walk 2 Cycle 2 Bus Five buses are provided for the children to come to school – due to the narrow roads in the vicinity of the school these buses do an agreed circular route to and from the school so they do not meet each other – locals tend to avoid the area at school arrival and departure times. – 3 by the local authority from Embleton, Loweswater and Buttermere. – 2 privately organised by parents from Cockermouth. Comments by the children - Quick, easy, can travel with friends, friendly bus driver Bike Comments on cycling varied: In favour: – It is quiet and you see lots of wildlife. Faster than walking. Issues: – Lots of narrow places and tight bends. – Bumpy. – Busy roads. – Fast cars. Cycle helmets: – Uncomfortable. – Only use on concrete. Car – Travels with other children from another school. – Uses the car sometimes instead of walking or cycling in the rain.

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Other Issues

Winter darkness

Winter darkness both around the school and on the rural roads leading to the villages – parents can not allow children unsupervised in these areas during the dark winter months. The picture opposite shows the location of the nearest street light to the school, light from this does not extend to the gate and access into the school. The school would like a light nearer to the school gate.

Community Travel Plan

The community travel plan mentions signing for the school tennis courts. The photos on pages 10 and 3 shop these signs are now in place. See appendix C2 for the complete plan.

Accident Plot

An accident plot for the 3 years 1st January 2006 to 31st December 2008 indicates that there have been no personal injury collisions in High Lorton village during that time. See Appendix C2 for the plot.

November Floods

Information supplied by in response to the extensive flooding and bridge damage in the area in November 2009 – Appendix C3 shows the bridges closed and the alternative routes. This had an effect on how a number of children came to school.

15 4 Summary of transport and road safety problems

The rural nature of the area, distances, lack of footways and distances make walking and cycling not viable for many pupils, but they use their bikes within their own settlements.

The dark nights in winter are an issue with parents unwilling to allow children to walk/cycle the rural roads. The access gate to the school can also be in darkness especially if after school activities or meetings are taking place.

The children need to explore using the highway safely in differing environments. The wearing of cycle helmets is not popular.

Congestion at school times, parents have to park away from the school and wait until the buses have left before they leave with their children, no matter if they travel by car, bike or on foot.

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What we already do:

Cycling and Walking

The children have received Bikeability levels 1 and 2 plus pedestrian training this year.

K’nex challenge 2009

We took part in the K’nex challenge to build and aerodynamic car – see appendix D1

School outings:

Years 5 and 6 have a 2 year program, one year it is a visit to the city of Newcastle the next is an Outdoor Pursuits week. The school has close links to the National Trust and many geography topics involve visit to the surrounding area, including an annual trip to Buttermere.

- Mountain erosion study – Years 5 and 6 took part in a mountain erosion Study Buttermere 2009 – see Appendix D2a.

- Walk to Skiddaw House - Years 3 and 4 walked to Skiddaw House in June 2009 - see Appendix D2b

17 5 Working party recommendations for action

Explore ways to ease congestions, especially for others in the village, provide shelter for parents who have to park away from the school. Addressed by Actions in tables - 7.2 and 7.4.

Encourage use of the school buses, accepting that parents may have other commitments that make collection or drop off on occasions necessary. Addressed by Actions in table, 7.4 .

Explore the possibility of additional street lighting by the school entrance Addressed by Action in table - 7.3.

Give children the knowledge and skill to use the highway safely both on foot and by bike, more secure storage would benefit when bikes are brought in for use in cycle training.

Addressed by Actions in tables - 7.1 and 7.5.

6 Targets – specific % targets for modal shift by yearly review date

Year 2009

Mode of Travel Baseline Data i.e. original survey % Target percentage for following year

Bus 36% Increase to 38% Car/Van 32% Decrease to 28% Car share 7% Increase to 9% Cycle 7% Sustain at 7% Taxi 8% Sustain at 8% Walk 10% Sustain at 10%

Notes

Because of the rural aspect of the area targets to increase walking or cycling are not realistic we have decided to try to maintain existing levels and encourage more use of the school bus and car sharing where possible.

18 7 Action plans

7.1 Education and training planned (e.g. Primary: pedestrian skills training / Secondary: teenage cycle training)

Addresses - Objectives to Encourage safe use of the highway.

Year Date Completed? Notes/success criteria and risks, including links to Measure Number Cost Action by group (dd.mm.yy) (month/year) objectives/targets and issues previously identified

See appendix D3 parents letter and information and Bikeabilty Level 1 Year 4 11 - 22/04/09 Cyclewise Sept 2009 Appendix D4 sources of more information on the school web site. As above Bikeabilty Level 2 Year 5 & 16 - 28/09/09 Cyclewise Sept 2009 6

Pedestrian 4 Bridget July 2010 To be arranged by Bridget in early 2010. Training Stanley

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7.2 School based engineering targets (e.g. cycle storage)

Addresses - Objectives to Encourage safe use of the highway.

Date Completed? Notes/success criteria and risks, including links to objectives/targets Measure Cost Action by (dd.mm.yy) (month/year) and issues previously identified

Improved parents Approx 2010 Mrs Harrison November 2010 Mrs Harrison to progress, detailed estimates will be sought shelter £4000 when design requirements agreed – the school is in the Lake incorporating cycle District National Park. storage

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7.3 Long term Road engineering targets – approved and funded by the BWTS physical measures budget Cost will be included if Date approved Action by e.g. Completed? Notes/success criteria and risks, including links to Measure approved by Time scale by CCC traffic engineer (month/year) objectives/targets and issues previously identified Capita engineer Engineer

None identified

7.3 Long term Road engineering targets – measures put forward for other council funding

Addresses - Objectives to Encourage safe use of the highway. Cost will be included if Date approved Action by e.g. Completed? Notes/success criteria and risks, including links to Measure approved by Time scale by CCC Council (month/year) objectives/targets and issues previously identified County engineer Council

Street light nearer Explore the feasibility of putting a street light adjacent to the school to the school entrance. KC emailed for advice.

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7.4 Promotional/Publicity Targets

Addresses - Objectives to Increase awareness and encourage safe use of the highway.

Measure Time scale Action by Notes

Regular school Newsletter Monthly Mrs Harrison Promote maximum use of the school bus and highlight other transport issues in regular newsletters. An example is in Appendix D5. -

Lorton School web site Ongoing, updated Mrs Harrison Provides information and advice to parents on all school activities. – Appendix D4 every month advice on Bikeabilty.

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7.5 Additional Targets/Actions taken by the school

Addresses - Objectives to Increase awareness and encourage safe use of the highway.

Measure Time scale Action by Notes

Residential visits to other Yearly Mrs Harrison Years 5 and 6 have a 2 year programme , one year it is a visit to the city of Newcastle communities the next is an Outdoor pursuits week.

Including topics/activities into Annual trip to Mrs Harrison The school has close links to the National Trust and many geography topics involve the Curriculum to highlighting Buttermere plus as and staff visit to the surrounding area, including an annual trip to Buttermere. transport choices and their topics require. We took part in the K’nex challenge to build and aerodynamic car – see appendix D1 implications Years 3 and 4 walked to Skiddaw House in June - see Appendix D2.

23 8 Review of targets

This Travel Plan will be a working document and will be reviewed and updated annually the working group. Any review shall be planned to commence before the action plan has run its course to guard against inactivity. The next review will be in July 2010

The school will complete the survey annually to assess any modal shift which may have occurred.

Integration of the STP into the school development/improvement plan is the most effective way to ensure the plan is sustained (attach relevant section of SDP/SIP if applicable).

Survey Results

How do you travel to and from school? Bus Car/Van Car Share Cycling Taxi Walk Total Date of no. of survey pupils No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %

Baseline:2009 Nov 09 59 21 36 19 32 4 7 4 7 5 8 6 10 Yearly Target % 38 28 9 7 8 10 Baseline:2010 Nov 10 Yearly Target % Baseline:2011 Nov 11 Yearly Target %

Comments

9 Cycle count -

The school is to take a cycle count before and after any improvements to cycle facilities are made. It is also recommended that a cycle count is taken before and after provision of any other measures such as training to show effects.

Cycle Count Date of count Measure Cycle count Date of count after Cycle count before Implemented

24 10 Monitoring training All activities/training/improvements will be recorded and monitored and notes will be added to the Travel Plan each time something is done.

Year 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Year Year Year Year Year Activity Number Number Number Number Number Group Group Group Group Group

Bikeability Level 1 4 11

Bikeability Level 2 5 & 6 16

Pedestrian Training

25 11 Comments and notes Documents included in the plan are:-

Appendix A – Transport Links 1. Cumbria Passenger Transport Map 2. Bus Stop Map 3. Bus Timetables 4. School Bus routes 5. Walk Routes to our school 6. Cycle Routes to our school 7. Car Routes to our school 8. Rights of Way, Walk Routes and Nation Cycle Networks near our school.

Appendix B – Consultation 1. On-line Surveys a) Infants, b) Juniors 2. Reference to weekly Friday Assembly – School council assembly 3. Email contact with Local councilors. 4. Notes from Working Group meetings.

Appendix C – Additional Information 1. Community Travel Plan 2. Accident Plot 3. Emergency information re November 2009 flooding.

Appendix D – Things we do 1. K’nex Challenge 2. a) Mountain Erosion Study – b) Skiddaw House 3. Letter and information re Bikeabilty 4. Web page 5. Newsletter – all issues put onto the web site.

26 12 Signed agreement

Lorton School Agrees to this School Travel Plan, to undertake its objectives, and to review the Travel Plan on an annual basis. Any review shall be planned to commence before the action plan has run its course to guard against inactivity in July.

This review will also consider pupil travel needs arising from new developments in education and transport provision, and the STP will be revised as necessary to take these in to account.

Signatures Head - teacher Name:

Signed:

Date:

Chair of Governors Name:

Signed:

Date:

Area Engineer Name: Cumbria County Council

Signed:

Date:

BWTS Coordinator Name:

Signed:

Date:

Thank you for completing this School Travel Plan

Please give details of the nominated person who will be responsible for the annual review of the School Travel Plan: Mrs O Harrison, Head.

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