Borough scoops multiple awards for school travel

4:31pm Monday 4th August 2008

COUNCIL officers, schools and pupils have been recognised for their work in encouraging greener ways of getting to school.

The borough performed well at three separate ceremonies.

Louise French was presented with the School Travel Advisor of the Year award by Phillipa Forrester at the fifth Smarter Travel Awards held in central London.

It is the second time she has won the London-wide award, which is voted for by the borough's schools.

Ms French helps schools draw up travel plans for staff and pupils to help reduce car use.

She said "I would like to say a big thank you to the schools which nominated me for this award.

"It is such a pleasure working with the schools across the borough and we have an excellent working relationship."

Bromley Council's school travel plan team was also shortlisted for the Borough of the Year title, which it won in 2006.

Meanwhile, more than 40 schools had their travel plans accredited by Transport for London at ceremonies at the Natural History Museum and the Royal Festival Hall in London.

There are three accreditation levels and Bromley had the highest number of schools with the top two levels compared with other London boroughs.

Initiatives which often feature in school travel plans are the Walk on Wednesday (WOW) incentive scheme and cycle training.

Two Bromley pupils won a nationwide WOW badge design competition in which they had to design badges depicting British landmarks.

Mia Brightman, 10, from Scotts Park Primary, Orchard Road, Bromley, made a badge featuring the Giant's Causeway, and Rebecca Sampson, seven, from Tubbenden Junior School, Sandy Bury, Orpington, chose to feature the white cliffs of Dover. Their badges will now be made.

Executive councillor for environment and leisure Councillor Colin Smith said: "This is fantastic news. It is nice to be recognised across London as leading the way once again.

"I know how much we all worry about our children's safety, but if I could encourage all parents to think about letting their children walk at least part of the way to school, it really would be a tremendous boost to the programme and help reduce congestion at the same time."

For more information on the projects carried out by the school travel plan team, call Ms French or Sarah Smith on 020 8313 4546 or email schooltravelplans@bromley.gov.uk

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