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Contents Page
Aims of our School Travel Plan & Responsibilities 3
Joint School Profile 4 Site layout Plan 5 Initiatives & Links To The Curriculum 6 Publicity & Promotion Monitoring & Review Survey Results & Anticipated Travel Patterns 7 Routes to New School 10 Recommended Improvements 12 ‐
3
Aims
To ensure routes to our new school are as safe as possible.
To promote and encourage safe travel to and from our new school for pupils, parents and staff.
To promote and raise road safety awareness of pupils, parents and staff.
To promote pupils’ health and wellbeing through encouraging them to take more active methods of travel to and from school.
Roles & Responsibilities Safer Routes to School Team: Will support each school in promoting active travel to school, road safety and monitor routes used. School Staff: Will participate in the Safer Routes to School and will provide learning experiences promoting road safety. Where appropriate road safety resources which will increase the road safety of pupils will also be resourced and distributed. Pupils: Will take responsibility for acting in a manner which exhibits appropriate road safety behaviours in travelling to and from school. To support any pupil groups who may look at road safety around the school site. Parents: Will be encouraged to exhibit sensible road and traffic behaviours and support the school in road safety initiatives. . Safer Routes To School Team (2014)
Hillhead Primary: Ally Budge (Head Teacher) Carole Begg (Depute Headteacher) Lena Falconer (Principal Teacher) Sandra Inrig (Teacher) Maureen Forbes (Parent) Wick North Primary: Lawrence Bews(Acting Head Teacher) Paul Durrand (Parent)Lindsay MacAdie (Parent)
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5
Figure 1: Site layout plan.
An aerial view encapsulating the new school grounds within the red rectangle area.
6
Initiatives & Curriculum Links Both of the current schools which will combine to create the new school are committed to learning through Curriculum For Excellence. They are involved in supporting initiatives from Health Promoting Schools, Eco Schools, Road Safety Education and Active Schools Coordinators.This will continue when the schools relocate to the new site. Road safety education will receive a special emphasis in the curriculum in both schools in the six months of curriculum time before the new school opens. Through the Pupil Council, pupils will play an important part in evaluating road safety around the school and this will be on the agenda of all Pupil Council meetings for the first session the school is occupied. Thereafter it will regularly be on the Pupil Council agenda. The new school will identify suitable road safety resources to purchase and distribute amongst pupils such as reflective strips and hot dots prior to the first winter the new school is open. The new school will hope to provide cycle instruction to pupils through a recognised scheme such as Bikeability Scotland. Publicity and Promotion.Safer Routes To School activity will be promoted
regularly through each school’s Parent Council, school newsletters and via the Pupil Council.
Monitoring & Review.The North of the River Joint Primary School Travel
Plan will be reviewed by the Safer Routes To School Team within the first year of the new school opening. . It will be a fixed item on the agenda of both School and Pupil Council of the school within the first year of it’s existence and thereafter be reviewed by these groups regularly.
7
Survey Patterns & Anticipated Travel Patterns
A survey was issued to each of the families who had pupils in the nursery or
Primary 1 to 4 of the North School and Hillhead Primary Schoolin the summer
term of 2013 . It asked them for information about how they thought they
would travel to the new school and which route or routes they would take. The
figures are based on predictive as opposed to actual modes of travel.
From the North School a total of 56 questionnaires were returned. From
Hillhead, a total of 45 were returned. It has been assumed for the purposes of
this report that the group of parents who returned questionnaires are a
representative sample of parents who attend each of the schools. Therefore
the figures have been scaled up to be representative of a school of 165 pupils
in the case of Hillhead and 158 in the case of the North. It was thought this
would better indicate the respective figures using each mode of transport and
the numbers using the routes travelled to get to the new school.
Diagrams 1 shows a breakdown on how parents felt their child/children would
travel to school in good and bad weather. The pie charts report the figures for
the North and Hillhead separately and then jointly.
In good weather the figures report a higher ratio of Hillhead pupils arriving at
school by car and a higher proportion of North School pupils walking to school.
Given the relative positions of the two catchment areas this is an expected
result. In good weather a larger number, some 60% or three fifths of the
combined school data would walk, with the remaining pupils split evenly
between walking (20%) and travelling by bus (20%).
The figures for bad weather show a significant increase in car use with more
than one third of the group or 122 pupils identifying this as their likely mode
of travel. A large number of pupils – some 144 report that walking would be
the means they would get to the new school. The proportion of pupils taking
the bus remains fairly constant with around 20% using this mode of transport
regardless of the weather.
DIAGR
bad we
1.1 HILL
2.1 : NO
C
3.1 COMB
Car, 20
RAM 1. Ho
eather
LHEAD GOO
ORTH – Good
Car, 44, 27%
Bus , 41, 25%
Car, 19, 13%
Bus , 22,15%
BINED – Goo
63, %
Bus , 63, 20%
w will you
OD WEATHE
d weather
, 0, 0%
, , 0, 0%
d weather
, 0, 0%
ur child tra
ER
Walk, 79, 48%
Walk, 105, 72%
Walk, 184, 60%
8
avel to an
2.2
d from th
1.2 HILL
2 NORTH ‐ B
Car43
Bus , 20%
Car, 52, 33%
Bus , 216%
Car, 122, 38%
Bus , 518%
3.2 COMBI
e new sch
LHEAD BAD
Bad weather
, 70, 3%
33, %
, 0, 0%
25, %
, 0, 0%
8, , 0, 0
NED ‐ Bad w
hool in goo
WEATHER
r
Wa61,
%
Wa80,
0%
weather
od and
alk, 37%
alk, 51%
Walk, 141, 44%
9
The data suggests that significant number of pupils will either walk or take the
car to the new school. In poor weather these figures will be approximately 40%
each of the school population.
It is worth noting that this survey probably under represent the use of cars to
get to the new school. This is particularly so as nursery pupils were not
included. . The new school has a capacity of more than 100 nursery children
and it seems likely that a good proportion of these will use cars to travel to and
from nursery. Currently a high % of nursery parents use cars to take their child
to school. Given that the nursery in the new school is further away for a
significant proportion of the parents, and caters for 3 and 4 years old it seems
highly likely that the nursery will create significant additional car use.
PREFERRED MODE OF TRANSPORT
Table 1 displays the mode of transport preferred by parents and also what
parents feel their child’s preferred mode of transport would be.
Table 1 The mode of transport preferred by parents to get to the new school them and parent views on the
type of transport preferred by their child to get to the new school
ADULT CHILD
Walk 59 (63%) Walk 39 (41%)
Car 6(5%) Car 15 (16%)
Cycle 4 (4%) Cycle 16 (17%)
Bus 25 (27%) Bus 26 (27%)
It appears that parents feel they are more positive about walking to school
than pupils are. Whilst a higher proportion of parents think their child would
prefer to cycle, this is not reflected in the parent wishes with only 4% of
parents identifying cycling as a preferred mode of transport. Parents would
overwhelmingly prefer their children to walk to school.
10
ROUTES TO THE NEW SCHOOL
The returned data on likely routes taken to the new school was significantly
diminished as many parents did not complete this part of the questionnaire. In
total 15 responses were received from the North School and 25 were received
from Hillhead. As this question asked about intended routes to a school which
many parents were unsure of with regard to drop off facilities, this may have
impacted on the results. Others who lived very close to the new school may
not have seen the importance in detailing their proposed short route in to
school.
The likely routes to be taken to the school vary dependent on mode of
transport. By car from the East the most common route is to drive along
Willowbank and then up Girnigoe Street. This is easily the most popular route
and pupils are then dropped off at Girnigoe Street. This will put significant
strain on the traffic structure in to Girnigoe Street and the dispersal of cars
from Girnigoe Street after the drop off. Coming from the west by car, parents
are more likely to use the large drop off access within the school grounds
entered by Ackergill Street. This is accessed through Ackergill Street or Hill
Avenue.
By foot the results show some variation. Those travelling on foot to the new
school, coming from the east, favour the route along Glamis Road, either
joining it part of the way along Glamis Road from houses or side streets in the
area or by coming from Lindsay Drive/Sandigoe Drive area, crossing
Willowbank and then travelling up Hillhead Road and turning left in to Glamis
Road. “Short cutting” by going along Bon Accord Street and joining Glamis
Road closer to the new school is also an identified possible route. These pupils
entering the school by the Girnigoe Street entrances are also joined by a
significant number of pupils from the Leith Walk area
For those walking from the West a variety of routes are used to arrive at
Ackergill Street. Going through Dunnett Avenue, Ackergill Crescent and on to
Hill Avenue was reported as a popular route. Other walking routes went up
Girnigoe Street, over Henrietta Street and accessing the school either through
Girnigoe Street, or Ackergill Street. Ackergill Street is a significant route in to
the new school.
11
This will create a significant challenge at the drop off points and also potential
congestion in the moving away of traffic from this area once pupils have been
dropped off. Due to roadside parking the loop around Leith Walk is a narrow
route to use as an exit from the school environment.
12
Recommended Improvements The following measures are proposed to increase the road safety of pupils, parents, staff and visitors in travelling to the
new school
Areas of concern Suggested Improvements Other informationAckergill Street remains the major vehicle access route in to the school. Significant numbers of pupils will also walk up it. The narrow entrance to Ackergill Street and the narrow pavements there make it unsuitable to support an increased flow of traffic. It poses a significant threat to the safety of pupils and requires alteration from the existing arrangements. Turning out of Ackergill Street back in to Henrietta Street has dangerously reduced visibility.
This is a potentially dangerous corner, particularly for vehicles turning out of it. It is unsuitable to be the main exit and entrance point for cars and buses which seek to use the internal drop off points within the school grounds. The preferred option is to alter traffic flow at the entrance to Ackergill Street from Henrietta Street to One Way North to allow for footpath improvements and better traffic/ pedestrian management (Pic 1). Consultation with local residents, business and Emergency Services will be required. A 20mph speed limit is also proposed for this area
A number of parents independently identified this as an area of concern. It has been an area of road traffic concern for a number of years. The disappearance of the kerb on the left hand side of Ackergill Street illustrates how traffic has cut this corner. The pavement on the right hand side is very narrow. The corner requires significant intervention in terms of road safety.
Pic 1
Very narAckergill Poor qusurfaces
rrow pavements a Street and Henri
uality pavementin this area.
at junction of etta Street.
ts and road
RthWdWokraIne
Railings at the corhe danger to pedWiden footpaths dropped kerbs, taWiden Pavementsof Ackergill Street kerbs, tactile pavailings at pedesnstall anti‐skid exit/crossing point
rner of Ackergill Sdestrians of cars to accommoda
actile paving, SLs where required to shared use staving, SLL markintrian exit pointsroad surfacests from the schoo
13
Street would reducutting the corn
ate shared use, LL markings (Pic along the full lengandard. Install drngs and pedestrs from the schoat all pedestr
ol.
uce ner. fit 2). gth rop rian ool. rian
Pic 2
Areas oAckergillGirnigoeof signifand pupform of sthese thr
of concern Street, Henriet Street constituteicant points of apils who walk to safe road crossingree points.
ta Street and e a triumvirate access for cars school. Some
g is required at
Suggested ImA 20 mph limit isand improve pewith Highland Cosafer. A Crossing PatroStreet to allow saStreet, Ackergill Canticipated increthe Crossing Patthere. Given thatroutes in to the traffic calming mout should be crossing/road bupossible to the grounds. Girnigoe Street dropping off andform of safe roadpelican crossing be positioned in an entrance to thpupils walking tosome of these pdisabled parking that the 10 drop this location. A boff/pick up zonepupils crossing in
provementss set on these strdestrian safety.ouncil Policy to m
ller currently opeafe crossing of puCrescent and Hill eased traffic on ttroller should cot this may be one school it is also easure in the shainstalled at Ackuild out shouldpedestrian acce
is likely to becod picking up timed crossing – eitheor a road crossinupper Girnigoe
he school to allowo and from the arking spaces mafor the ASN unioff parking zonebuild out should e to afford ade this area.
14
reets to slow traffThis is in keepinmake communitie
erates on Ackergupils from AckergAvenue. Given thhis road, this roaontinue to operaof the main accefelt that a furthape of a road buikergill Street Th be as close ess to the scho
ome very busy es at the school. er a light operateng patroller shouStreet adjacent tw for safe transit school. Given thay be reserved foit there is concee is large enough proceed the dro
equate visibility t
Other infofic ng es
gill gill he ad te ss er ld his as ol
at A ed ld to of at or rn in op to
Ac
Girnigoe Stre
ormationckergill Street req
eet will be very bu
quires a crossing p
usy with traffic an
patroller
d pedestrians
15
Henrietta Street is an arterial route through this area, a main route on to the A9 and to Tescos superstore which will be added to significantly by the new school’s main entrance being along Henrietta Street. Henrietta Street requires a road Crossing Patroller. A 20 mph zone should operate along Henrietta Street during school opening and closing times. A suggested position foir a road crossing patroller is position X on the map. This crossing would be adjacent to the opening of the lane which carries down through the Barons Well are and links to Willowbank. Road surfaces require repair/renewal and new anti skid surfacing at crossing/school access points on all three streets. These should be supplemented by drop kerbs, tactile surfaces, pedestrian rails (where appropriate) and SLL markings. Boot print markings to be fitted to direct pupils to safe crossing points.
X
Areas The proin Girnigfigures oversubbeyond and carsdrop ofWalk wsignifica
of concernoposed 10 space dgoe Street will, oin this survey
bscribed. This drothe turn off in tos will have to exitff point by goingwhich offers tighant roadside parki
Sdrop off point on the basis of y, be heavily op off point is o Glamis Road t or enter this g round Leith ht turns and ing.
CaNp T2
Suggested ImpConsideration shoa One Way street Narrow roads andpassing of traffic d
The One Way syst20 mph speed lim
Pic 2
provementsould be given to min a clockwise dird roadside parkingdifficult on this ro
tem should be supmit.
16
making Leith Walkrection (Pic 1). g will make the oad (Pic 2 & 3).
pplemented by a
Other infok
Pic 1
Pic 3
rmation
Areas Willowbsignificato crossto get to
of concernbank is a very bant numbers of ps it safely from so the new school
Susy road and pupils require outh to north
AHcsba AoSr TptPdcd TtdppWmspHH
Suggested ImpA road Crossing PHillhead Crossing controlled crossinsafely cross Willowbe placed on Willoand the current si
A 20mph speed limof Willowbank RoSID (smiley face sproad surface and
To encourage cycpaths along Willowto allow for dual uPaths should be imdropped kebs andcrossing points. Bdirect pupils to cr
The corner at the turning in to Girnidangerous area fopavement on the pupils be re‐directWell so that they markings along thshould be installepupils using it . ThHenrietta Street cHenrietta Street.
provementsatroller (relocate Patroller) or instang is required to awbank Road. Thisowbank betweenite of Hillhead Pri
mit should be enfoad. This should bpeed signs), 20 rosignage along Wil
ling the possibilitywbank Road shouuse by pedestrianmproved to includd tactile paving atBoot print markingossing points.
bottom end of Wigoe Street is a poor pedestrians witNorth side. It is sted up through thavoid this junctiohis lane and adequd to increase the hey will then comclose to the propo
17
the existing all a lights llow pupils to s crossing should Hillhead Road mary (Pic 1).
forced the length e reinforced withoundels on the llowbank.
y of widening theuld be investigatens and cyclists. de SLL markings, designated gs to be fitted to
Willowbank, otentially th very narrow uggested that he lane in Barons on. Boot print uate lighting possibility of e out on to osed crossing ove
Other info
d
r
Safe form of cWillowbank is
Pic 1
rmationcrossing from thes required.
e south side to thee north side of
18
The road to Papigoe has pavements along one side of the road – the northern side the whole way out to Papigoe. Pupils walking from the majority of houses in Papigioe must cross this busy road.
It is suggested that pupils have some identified crossing place with boot markings and reduced kerbs or slightly raised road surface to identify a safer crossing place on this road – at some point east of the narrow bridge.
Areas WillowbHenriettAvenue significatraffic cthrough The trafalone wsurrounparticul
of concernbank, Girnigoe Strta Street, Ackergiand Glamis Roadant increase in traalming measure ihout this area
ffic caused by nurwill be a significantnding roads and starly so given that
Sreet, ll Street, Hill d will all see a affic. A form of s required
rsery parking t one on the treets. This is the
AddR To2a HSlsb Amdb Tmca
Suggested ImpA 20mph limit shodown Ackergill Strdown Girnigoe StrRoad and along W
The 20 mph limit of SID Signs (smile20 roundels on tharea.
Hill Avenue, WilloStreet and Henrieeading to the schshould be reviewebenefit from traff
All footpaths in thmarkings, droppedesignated crossibe fitted to direct
To ensure that themaximum numbeconfiguration of sand is not optima
provementsould extend fromreet, along Henriereet, along GlamiWillowbank Road,
should be enhancey faces) at approhe road and signag
owbank, Glamis Roetta Street are all shool (Pic 2 is an Exed to see whethefic calming measu
hese areas to be rd kerbs and tactilng points. Boot pt pupils to crossing
e car park within er of spaces possibpaces allows for sl for providing spa
19
Hill Avenue, etta Street, up ans Road, Hillhead etc (Pic 1).
ced with the use opriate locations, ge throughout the
oad, Girnigoe straight roads xample). They r they would res.
eviewed and SLL le paving at print markings to g points.
the school has thble. Currently the shrubs and busheaces. The spaces
Other info
d
e
e
es
Pic 1
rmation
Pic 2
20
arrangements to fulfil the need to provide 600 hours nursery provision rests upon a very short turnover time between nursery morning and afternoon sessions. This will concentrate parking at the school and surrounding area. This large primary school situated in a relatively congested housing area will inevitably create many challenges in terms of parking and road safety around the site. Traffic around the school will be significant and items such as free school transport from Staxigoe will play a vital role in reducing the number of vehicles travelling to and from the school.
should be configured in such a way as to achieve the maximum number of spaces possible and therefore reduce the traffic congestion in the surrounding area. Whatever the aesthetic appeal of diagonal car parking spaces and shrubs, it does not merit sacrificing car parking spaces and further adding to traffic congestion in the area surrounding the school. The school car park should have the optimum number of spaces possible. To date any surveys which have assessed or predicted traffic around the new school have not been accurate with respect to a number of important features. It would be appropriate to carry out a full traffic impact survey of the school in this congested area. As a minimum it is recommended that route survey be carried out by HC Transport Dept to provide a detailed assessment. To continue free school transport from Staxigoe to the new school to minimise car traffic dropping off and picking up pupils. Given the open aspect of the playground and the difficulty in seeing the bus area from the classrooms then bus shelters may be of benefit in the bus pick up area.
21
There is concern that for the first six months which the new school is open the traffic problems around the school will be at their greatest. The car park drop off area and the staff car park will not be in operation
It is essential that the temporary car park area to the North of the school site is prepared well in advance and is as large as possible. Careful consideration needs to be given as to how the flow of traffic around the site in the first six months of the school’s existence will operate when there is no additional infrastructure available to deal with it.