Ludlow 21’s Sustainable Transport Group have responded to Shropshire Council’s proposed revision to their policy under the Education Act 1996 covering unsafe walking routes for schoolchildren. Shropshire Council are asking this because they want to identify hazardous routes where free transport is needed for eligible children. While the Sustainable Transport Group agree that identifying hazardous routes is an excellent initiative, the reasons for Shropshire Council doing so are incorrect.
The Government has identified ‘Active Travel’ as a way of reducing our carbon footprint and encouraging a healthier lifestyle and so, rather than increasing the number of bus journeys, we should be providing safe walking/cycling routes from home to school for all our children to provide exercise and social interaction. Also, since many of the routes are made hazardous because of the volume or speed of traffic, a reduction in both would help to reduce the town’s carbon footprint.
You can make your own response to the consultation here: https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/get-involved/extremely-hazardous-routes-policy-revision/
Closing date for responses is 10th February 2023.
To see Ludlow 21 STG’s response, click here: https://www.ludlow21.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/RPRP-Shropshire-Council-Consulatation-Final-.pdf
