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 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.
For the action plans that are selected to be implemented, 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.
What kind of measures could be introduced?
We plan to implement action plans at up to three schools initially, 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. If more funding becomes available, more interventions may be implemented.
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 funding, 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. Subject to a successful business case, the Kirklees Speed Limit Review scheme will be delivered in partnership with Kirklees Council using funding given to the Combined Authority by HM Government. The scheme aims to implement the results of up to three action plans as part of this project, with initial cost of the scheme is expected to be £900,000.
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 to implement interventions, subject to availability of potential future funding to implement interventions. There may be further opportunities to comment on any proposed changes during future phases of the project if additional funding becomes available.
Why is this scheme important?
Improving safety and making sure that appropriate speed limits are in place 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?
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 Spring 2026. This phase will have an individual engagement period lasting six weeks. People can have their say via www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/kslr 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 www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/kslr 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 www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/kslr. We will publish a report on the engagement response on this website.
How can I have my say on schemes in my area?
Details of consultations and engagements 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.
You can also get in touch with the Combined Authority’s Communities, Consultation and Engagement team by emailing yourvoice@westyorksca-gov.uk, by calling MetroLine on 0113 245 7676, or by writing to: FREEPOST WEST YORKSHIRE COMBINED AUTHORITY.
Next steps
How could this scheme be funded?
Subject to a successful business case the Kirklees Speed Limit Review scheme will be delivered in partnership with Kirklees Council using funding given to the Combined Authority by HM Government. This is known as capital funding, which means it can only be spent on schemes to deliver new or improved transport infrastructure. The initial cost of the scheme is expected to be £900,000.
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.