AQW 1394/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 03/02/2020
Answered On Date: 18/02/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure (i) for her assessment of the Travel to and from school by pupils in Northern Ireland 2018/19; (ii) to outline her plans to address the issues raised in the report; (iii) how she is working with other Departments to address the issues raised in the report; and (iv) to outline an expected timeframe for her actions.

Answer:

I am very disappointed that there has been a reduction in the proportion of primary school pupils walking or cycling to school from 32% to 23% since 2013/14. This highlights the challenge that we face in changing our travel habits to more sustainable behaviours.

In terms of addressing the issues raised in the ‘Travel to and from school by pupils’ 2018/19 report, I want to take some time to carefully consider how best to address the barriers to walking and cycling – including the journey to and from school. In doing so, I am keen to work with other Departments and stakeholders to address the key issues.

Currently, my Department jointly funds (with the Public Health Agency) the Active School Travel Programme. This programme is operated in sixty new schools each year with the aim of encouraging children to travel to school by walking, cycling, scooting or other sustainable means. In addition, every primary school is invited to participate in the Cycling Proficiency Scheme. In 2019/20, almost 350 primary schools and over six thousand children participated. Thirdly, the Practical Child Pedestrians Safety Training programme is offered to selected schools in the most deprived areas in Northern Ireland. In 2019/20, 40 primary schools and almost 1,500 children participated in the scheme. My Department also provides schools with free road safety teaching resources.

Developing active travel policies is something that I am keen to progress within the budget that is made available to me. However, it is too early for me to be in a position to provide a timeframe for further actions.