Image of Hallwood Park Primary School before the changes.
Image of Hallwood Park Primary School after highways improvement works.
This case study is kindly provided by Living Streets, who receive funding from Active Travel England to deliver walk to school outreach.
Background
Hallwood Park Primary School and Nursery has been involved in WOW, the Living Streets walk to school challenge, since October 2019.
Prior to taking part in the WOW challenge, 33% of pupils normally travelled to school by car, with 52% of pupils walking/wheeling.
To increase the number of pupils travelling via active modes, Living Streets worked with Hallwood Park Primary School and Nursery to understand the main barriers to cycling, walking and wheeling to school. A school route audit with staff, pupils and a parent governor found the main barrier to active travel was the lack of footpath outside the school.
Living Streets produced a report based on the audit findings and shared it with the local authority, Halton Council.
Walking to school outcomes
A new footpath and a dropped kerb now provide a continuous route from the local housing estate to the school. Keep clear markings have also been added outside the school.
The WOW challenge and new infrastructure has led to an increase in the number of pupils walking to school, from 52% to 69%.
Over 75% of parents say the new footpath has made accessing the school easier.
Astrid Shone, Teacher and WOW lead at Hallwood Park said:
"We asked for this for many years but now with the backing of Living Streets, we have it!"