Have your say on the Sustainable Travel to Education strategy for North Northants

20 September 2023

Parents/carers, students, educational establishments and other stakeholders are being asked to share information on how children and young people travel to school and education to help shape a new Sustainable Travel to Education strategy for the local area.

A new draft strategy looks at how children and young people can travel to all educational settings in a more sustainable way, but North Northamptonshire Council are asking for input to gather a better picture on current habits and barriers to using more sustainable travel.

All Local Authorities are required to produce a Sustainable Mode of Travel to School Strategy, with the legacy strategy for the local area produced in 2015.
The proposed Sustainable Travel to Education strategy supports educational establishments, students and parent/carers to travel more sustainably for all journeys to education. It supports healthier and more active lifestyles for staff, students and parents to improve their health and wellbeing whilst bringing benefits to the wider community, including higher footfall for local businesses, tackling issues with parking, reducing traffic congestion and carbon emissions.

The survey looks at how children and young people currently travel to all educational settings, why they use their chosen mode of transport, preferred methods of transport and methods that would encourage walking or cycling. Respondents can also provide comments on the draft survey, before all feedback is collated and the final strategy is discussed at Executive later in the year.

This new draft strategy has been produced in line with national requirements, but also to reflect the needs of the community and our priorities. To shape the strategy further, we are now asking for the view of residents alongside insight into current modes of transport, including what prevents children and young people from using more sustainable methods to travel to all educational settings.

The benefits of walking and cycling to school and education are enormous, but there are often barriers. This strategy will help us identify ways we can improve and provide active and sustainable travel options across North Northamptonshire.Cllr Scott Edwards, the council’s Executive Member for Children, Families, Education and Skills

As we look to reducing carbon emissions across North Northants, it is important that we consider all aspects and this strategy sets out how sustainable travel and transport will be developed, plus an action plan identifying priorities, timescales and resources needed.Cllr Jason Smithers, the Leader of the Council

The consultation runs until 30 October 2023 and can be completed online via the council’s consultation hub or by:

• Emailing: [email protected]
• Writing to: North Northamptonshire Council, Consultation: Sustainable Travel to Education Strategy, Bowling Green Road, Kettering, NN15 7QX