Soft Measures – Hard Facts: The Value For Money Of Transport Measures Which Change Travel Behaviour. A Review Of The Evidence - Department of Health / Highways Agency / NHS South West / Travelwise / South West Regional Development Agency (January 2011) (.pdf, 2.6 MB)

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The STHC is cited as the essential evidence base to guide and support intervention on Active Travel to school:

“Targeting children who drive within a realistic walk threshold is most effective. Data showing where young people live, their mode of transport and their proximity to realistic walking thresholds are provided by the School Travel Health Check”

“The best value for money will be achieved by supporting schools with the most potential to change, which is where there are relatively large numbers of young people not walking within the walking or cycling thresholds. Analysis of the school census data (via the STHC) costs 16 pence per young person, per local authority which, provides a pack of information for every school showing where the young people live, their mode of transport to school and their distance from school in relation to the realistic walking distance.”

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The STHC is cited throughout this briefing paper produced to answer the main questions health professionals often ask about promoting active travel to school:-

• How far can young people reasonably be expected to walk or cycle to school?
• Is any progress being made to get more young people active by promoting walking or cycling to school?
• What is the potential for encouraging more young people to walk or cycle to school?
• What can be done to get better value for money?

“One successful way of presenting data at the school and young person level is to use the School Travel Health Check (STHC). This takes the School Census Data and processes it to produce school friendly maps, spreadsheets and reports which give a clear indication of the facts from which individuals, schools and policy makers can decide what to do.”

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The use of the STHC by authorities in the SW region is cited by the Chief Medical Officer as an example of best practice:-

“This innovative sustainable development initiative aims to provide robust data that will allow schools, planners and individuals to develop more sustainable school travel options”

“Active travel to school is an important source of physical activity for young people. It could be increased further. These statistics provide a useful baseline against which to measure progress, and should be used in conjunction with a qualitative assessment of local authority and school travel policies” (Page 73)

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Dorset County Councils use of the STHC is cited as a case study of the best use of existing data to inform individual schools of their performance and to identify actions.

Note: The follow up document to this produced by the Department for Education - Climate Change And Schools: A carbon management strategy for the school sector - can be found in the School Resources section.