Maidenhead & Windsor

A Berkshire-wide initiative that aims to promote walking and cycling to school will be launched in the Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough during a conference at the Town Hall, Maidenhead, on Wednesday October 17.

The Berkshire School Travel Excellence Programme (STEP) is an accreditation and awards scheme for School Travel Plans, which are designed to reduce the use of cars and encourage more sustainable methods of travelling to school. STEP is aimed at both state and independent schools and rewards participating schools that have worked hard to devise School Travel Plans and encourages others to develop theirs.

All six Berkshire local authorities, including the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough, are working together on the programme. At the conference there will be an introduction to the STEP scheme and talks on School Travel Plans, walking buses, Walk to School and links between the Healthy Schools programme and School Travel Plans.

Cllr Colin Rayner, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead highways, transport and environment, said: “Cutting the number of cars on Berkshire’s roads will reduce congestion and air pollution and help to promote a sustainable future. It will also benefit the children who walk or cycle by improving their fitness and health.

“A number of schools in the Royal Borough have successfully developed travel plans, and improvements such as cycle racks and parents’ shelters are making it easier for children to walk or cycle to school.

“These schools are doing a great job and I would like to encourage any school that hasn’t started its travel plan to contact the borough.”

STEP can advise schools on how to develop a plan that meets the requirements for a government grant for any necessary infrastructure improvements. Any school requiring further information can call Gordon Oliver, Windsor and Maidenhead principal transport policy officer, on 01628 796097.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead