Sustainable Modes of Travel to School Strategy consultation

Consultation closes: Wednesday 31 December 2025
Consultation opened: Wednesday 19 November 2025

Sustainable modes of travel include walking, cycling, wheeling (using mobility aids, scooters or other non-motorised services) or public transport.

Promoting sustainable travel to school makes journeys safer, healthier, and greener, while supporting our wider goals for active travel and community wellbeing.

Walking or cycling regularly helps children develop fitness, improve mental health, and encourages children to be more independent, interact with peers, and connect with their local community.

Sustainable travel also reduces congestion around schools, which lowers the risk of accidents involving children. Fewer cars on school runs reduce congestion, making travel quicker and safer for everyone in the area.

Fewer car trips mean lower air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to cleaner local air and fighting climate change.

National, regional and local policy frameworks all contain commitments to promoting active travel. Local authorities are responsible for assessing the school travel needs of their area and promoting active travel.

You can download the strategy (PDF), but a summary of the aim, objectives and actions are provided below.

Funding

All current sustainable travel promotion undertaken by us is currently externally funded.

This funding includes:

• Capability Funding from Active Travel England. This discretionary fund is based on the quality of our plans for active travel, alongside our track record in delivering high quality schemes. The funding supports various initiatives including the entirety of the Active Travel team’s work with schools to promote and facilitate walking, scooting and cycling
• Bikeability Funding from the Department for Transport
• Cycling E-asier programme funded by Active Travel England
• Section 106 ‘Travel Plan’ contributions from developers

Having up-to date strategies provides a clear policy basis when bidding for external funding bids and preparing business cases for investment.