Date: 04 August 2007 21:22 CAMBRIDGESHIRE SCHOOLS TOP OF THE CLASS FOR GREEN TRAVEL Schools across Cambridgeshire have earned themselves a share of £180,777 to spend on promoting greener and healthier ways to travel such as walking and cycling. Some 33 schools completed a School Travel Plan as part of the Government's Travel to School Initiative. Each primary school receives £3,750 plus £5 per pupil and each secondary or special school receives £5,000 plus £5 per pupil. The School Travel Plan promotes sustainable travel and encourages practical ways of improving safety on the school journey, whilst reducing congestion at peak times and decreasing pollution. The money that schools receive can be spent on improvements such as bicycle shelters, parent waiting shelters, CCTV and improved lighting on the school grounds. Congestion is a real problem around schools twice a day. Research has shown that at 8.50am, 17% of cars on the road are involved with taking children to school. A school travel plan looks at ways of reducing the need for cars as part of the school journey. This can be by walking or cycling, or if car use is essential, then car sharing or park and walk schemes. Cambridgeshire County Councillor Mac McGuire, Lead Member for Highways and Transport was impressed by the schools achievements. He said: "It is excellent that schools in Cambridgeshire are focused on reducing car use on the school run and improving the health and safety of the pupils. Over the last four years this initiative has meant more than £800,000 of grants have been given to Cambridgeshire 's schools, which is an excellent achievement. I hope more schools take up this opportunity to complete a School Travel Plan this year." The Government's 2003 Travel to School Initiative has set steep targets of 100% of schools having an approved plan by 2010. The grant funding is only currently available for those schools that complete an approved School Travel Plan by March 2008. Jo Kasey, School Travel Advisor for Cambridgeshire County Council is encouraging all schools that do not currently have a plan, to contact her to find out more on 01480 376717. The Schools that benefited from this years capital grant are as follows: Name School type Colville Primary School Primary Homerton Nursery School Nursery St Philip's CofE Aided Primary School Primary Downham Feoffees Primary School Primary Ely St John's Community Primary School Primary Sutton CofE VC Primary School Primary The Harbour School Special Cavalry Primary School Primary Manea Community Primary School Primary Maple Grove Infant School Primary Townley Primary School Primary Folksworth CofE Primary School Primary Godmanchester Primary School Primary Great Staughton Primary School Primary Hartford Infant School Primary Hinchingbrooke School Secondary Overhills Primary School Primary St John's CofE Primary School Primary St Peter's School Secondary Abbots Ripton CofE Primary School Primary The Elton CofE Primary School > Primary St Anne's CofE Primary School Primary The William de Yaxley CofE Aided Junior School Primary Barrington CofE VC Primary School Primary Comberton Village College Secondary Duxford Church of England Community Primary Primary Hardwick Community Primary School Primary Harston and Newton Community Primary School Primary Haslingfield Endowed Primary School Primary Melbourn Primary School Primary Stapleford Community Primary School Primary Waterbeach Community Primary School Primary Thriplow CofE VA Primary School Primary John Reynolds