About STP

What we need to do

By the end of 2010, all London schools need to have a school travel plan approved by Transport for London (TfL) to decrease car usage and increase walking and cycling.

New zebra crossing outside St Augustine's Priory School

Travel plans help children learn and grow socially

A walk outdoors sends oxygen to the brain. Pupils who walk to school arrive feeling:

brighter
alert and awake
ready to learn

Department of Transport (DoT) research shows children who walk to school settle down to morning lessons more quickly than those who are driven in.

Getting outdoors can have a positive effect on a child's mood – especially if the walk to school takes them through a park or green space.

Exposure to nature helps reduce feelings of anxiety and anger

While they're walking to school, parents can teach their children about dangers on the roads and good road crossing skills. Walking gives children time:

to socialise with their friends
meet new people
become more observant

Walk to School campaign researchers asked children what they thought they would remember about their trip to school when they had grown up:

Children walking described activities:

"running over the bumps"
"meeting up with my friend Lexi"

Children in cars described objects they saw:

petrol station
traffic lights
cows

Travel plans help reduce obesity

Nearly three-quarters of a million children in the UK are obese. It has been estimated that this figure will reach a million by 2012, and by 2025 around a quarter of all boys will be classified as dangerously overweight. Being overweight can bring a range of serious health problems that may start in childhood and worsen in later life. Research shows that about 160,000 children display signs of developing heart disease. At least 150,000 have high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. Obesity can also cause diabetes, liver failure and heart problems.

Travel plans help tackle environmental issues

The more people who walk to school, the fewer cars on the road. Leaving the car at home even once a week will reduce traffic around the school.

People in cars regularly suffer three times as much pollution as pedestrians because they are sitting in the exhaust fumes from the car in front. Air pollution causes health problems such as asthma, particularly in children.

The school run is responsible for an estimated two million tonnes of C0 ₂ emissions each year. Cut down the number of cars, reduce air pollution.