FAQs
General
What is a School Travel Action Plan?
Kirklees Council, in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, is putting together travel action plans for a number of schools in the area. Each school will have its own individual plan, which will include suggested measures aimed at improving safety for people travelling to and from school, and increasing the number of people walking and cycling.
These plans will be informed by a combination of transport data and through engagement with parents, pupils, staff and governors at each school, as well as with people living close by.
Feedback from this engagement will help to shape the plan.
How will people benefit from a School Travel Action Plan?
School Travel Action Plans will identify measures to improve safety for people travelling to and from school – parents, pupils and staff. In addition, by identifying and addressing barriers that prevent people from choosing to walk or cycle, we can encourage people to choose more active travel options, resulting in improved air quality and healthier lifestyles.
Overall, local communities will benefit from reduced traffic congestion with fewer speed-related collisions, lower air pollution, and safer and more fit-for-purpose walking and cycling routes.
Why is my school involved?
Schools have been identified close to areas where data shows that speed-related collisions occurred most frequently. We also looked at Census data to determine areas where car ownership is low and the potential benefits of improving walking and cycling scooter are greater. We have engaged with 3 schools during Round 1, between 24 September and 22 October 2024. We will continue to engage with more schools during term time, with the next four schools scheduled for Round 2 between 5 November and 2 December 2024.
What kind of measures could be introduced?
We plan to install and monitor action plans at up to three schools to improve road safety and encourage active travel for school trips. Measures could include restrictions outside school gates, new 20mph speed limits, traffic calming measures such as speed bumps or new crossings, or repaired or upgraded routes, such as footpaths and pavements.
The proposed measures will be individual to each school based on transport data we collect and from feedback from these engagements.
What is the likelihood of measures being implemented?
It’s difficult to say at this stage as it will depend on feedback and the types of measures identified. However, School Travel Action Plans will need to be approved through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority's assurance process, which determines where and when money is invested in the region. The detailed action plans will support the case for change and form the basis of the funding asks in future. The Kirklees Speed Limit Review scheme also has funding to implement the results of up to three action plans as part of this project.
What are the next steps following the engagement?
Feedback will be analysed following the engagement with each school and this will be used to form a School Travel Action Plan. Depending on the feedback received, measures could be introduced, or the plan will provide an evidence base for potential future funding to implement interventions. There may be further opportunities to comment on any proposed changes because of the feedback.
Why is this scheme important?
Kirklees Council’s Highway Safety Team recently commissioned a separate Speed Limit Review and is currently implementing most of the recommendations. These include working with schools with the aim of helping to tackle the climate emergency by encouraging walking and cycling as alternatives to the car, primarily by improving road safety, especially for vulnerable users (around schools), and to address barriers to active travel in areas of low car ownership.
By making sure that appropriate speed limits are in place this will help influence motorists, resulting in fewer collisions and injuries. The introduction of 20mph zones around schools and education sites also boosts connectivity to education and training opportunities, particularly for active travel users, which in turn delivers upon inclusive growth ambitions.
How were these schools selected?
A total of 35 schools and two Sure Start centres were identified close to areas where speed-related collisions occurred most frequently. We also looked at Census data to determine areas where car ownership is low and the potential benefits of improving walking and cycling scooter are greater.
The decision-making process
What is the decision-making process?
The scheme is reviewed through sequenced decision gateways in the Assurance Process of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. There are four business case decision points within this assurance process. At each stage, recommendations on the scheme are made by an officer-based appraisal team to the relevant committee(s) of elected members. So far, the scheme has currently passed through three of the four decision points.
What has been done so far?
£900,000 of funding for the Kirklees Speed Limit Review has been secured through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) which West Yorkshire Combined Authority administers. Working with Kirklees Council, the project has secured Combined Authority approval at the Strategic Outline Case stage and is currently working towards Full Business Case.
Having your say and staying informed
How can the schools, parents and nearby residents have their say on the proposals?
Engagement activity will be scheduled for schools and centres within the scheme during the period between September 2024 and Autumn 2026. will have an individual engagement period lasting four weeks. People can have their say via http://www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/kirklees-speed-limit-review or email yourvoice@westyorks-ca.gov.uk. We are keen to hear from anyone involved in the school community and nearby residents.
How will we ensure the engagement will be accessible to people who do not have access to the Internet?
A drop-in event will be held at each school for parents, staff and nearby residents (depending on the school) who will have received a letter from Kirklees council which will be attended by officers from Kirklees Council and the Combined Authority. Paper survey including information in other languages and other formats can be requested via MetroLine on 0113 245 7676
Who can take part? Can I tell other people to take part?
We welcome opinions and feedback from all members of the public. Please share the link http://www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/kirklees-speed-limit-review with anyone you think would be interested in taking part, specifically parents, students, members of staff and local residents. If you intend to submit a joint response on behalf of a group/organisation, please share the link with your colleagues/members so they can provide an individual response, should they wish to do so. The feedback questionnaire on the Your Voice page can be downloaded.
How will people be kept informed on the progress of the scheme?
You can register to follow the project and have your say in any future consultations at http://www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/kirklees-speed-limit-review. We will publish a report on the engagement response on this website.
About the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS)
How is this scheme being funded?
The scheme is funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority through the Department for Transport’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS)
What is the CRSTS programme and who is involved?
The £830 million City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) is aimed at providing an integrated and inclusive transport network and was made possible thanks to the West Yorkshire Mayoral devolution deal. This work will build on the significant investment already being made in making it easier for people to walk, cycle and use public transport around West Yorkshire.
The Combined Authority is working in partnership to deliver schemes with local authority colleagues in Wakefield, Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, and Leeds.
You can read more about the CRSTS here: www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/projects/city-regional-sustainable-transport-settlement-crsts-and-levelling-up-fund/
Can this funding be spent on other projects or improvements?
The funding awarded for CRSTS schemes by the Department for Transport is capital funding and can only be spent on the schemes for which it was awarded within the CRSTS bid. This means CRSTS funding cannot be reallocated to be spent elsewhere.
When will the programme of works be completed?
The programme is being delivered in phases. It is expected that all projects will be completed by the end of March 2027.
How does CRSTS complement other transport infrastructure schemes being delivered across the region?
It will build on the significant investment already made through the Combined Authority’s other programmes, such as the Transforming Cities Fund, the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund, and Levelling Up Fund.
How can I have my say on schemes in my area?
Details of the CRSTS consultations, along with consultations on many other schemes, can be found at www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk, where you can register to hear directly about new consultations in your area.