Sustainable Travel to School

Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council has a statutory duty under the Education and Inspections Act 2006 to promote sustainable travel to school, in particular the promotion of sustainable travel and transport modes on the journey to, from, and between schools and other institutions where education or training is delivered.

There are four main elements to the duty: 

• An assessment of the travel and transport needs of children and young people within the authority’s area; 
• An audit of the sustainable travel and transport infrastructure within the authority that may be used when travelling to and from or between schools/institutions; 
• A strategy to develop the sustainable travel and transport infrastructure within the authority so that the travel and transport needs of children and young people are better catered for; 
• The promotion of sustainable travel and transport modes on the journey to, from and between schools and other institutions.

Sustainable Modes of Travel Strategy

We want more young people in Tameside to choose to walk, wheel, scoot, cycle or use public transport to get to school and access further education.

Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council with Transport for Greater Manchester and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority have jointly developed the Greater Manchester School Travel Strategy which is our Sustainable Modes of Travel Strategy. The strategy also includes an assessment of the travel and transport needs of young people in Greater Manchester.

Download the Greater Manchester School Travel Strategy

Audit of sustainable travel and transport infrastructure

In 2023 a comprehensive network audit took place covering all of Greater Manchester, reviewing the standard of 700km of aspirational Bee Active (walking, wheeling and cycling) Network. This was to help us to understand whether the existing infrastructure in every local authority meets Bee Network standards, and, where it doesn't, how it falls short.

An expansion of the audit work was undertaken in 2024, reviewing the standard of provision specifically around a number of schools, and this included some engagement with schools on particular challenges and opportunities, and maps of potential interventions.

Promoting sustainable travel

Information on how to walk, wheel, scoot, cycle and use public transport to school and further education can be found on the Bee Network website. This includes personalised travel pages for every secondary school and further education establishment in Tameside.