SCHOOL TRANSPORT
Pupils in Hanwell have
developed an ‘app’ for
mobile phones that has
successfully encouraged
others to walk to and
from school rather than
using cars or buses.
T
he Brentside High students
(from Years 8 and 9) got
funding for the project from
Transport for London (TfL)
after the school became involved
in a programme called Youth Travel
Ambassadors.
They had to pitch their idea first to
TfL experts, alongside other teams of
students representing schools from
across the capital. Their idea for a
campaign based around a specially
designed walking app – with a
pedometer and route planning features
– was deemed to be one of the best.
With help from TfL and Ealing Council,
the pupils were then able to make the
app a reality. They backed it up by
placing posters around the school and
by holding assemblies for other pupils
– and also by putting up maps to help
students find the best route to school.
Since then, the number of pupils
walking to Brentside has risen 4% and
it is hoped this trend will continue. An
element of competition was added by
setting up a walking group on the app,
allowing students to see each other’s
step totals. Prizes during an event in
June added extra incentive.
“The students really benefited from
hearing these messages from their
peers,” said the school’s head of Year 8
Zac Newman. “Once they realised how
serious, committed and passionate
the Youth Travel Ambassadors were,
‘Appy travellers
the students then took it seriously
themselves and respected it.”
Brentside got involved in the Youth
Travel Ambassadors scheme in 2014.
The same group of pupils, then in
Year 7, put together a short video and
campaign encouraging building a
better relationship between students
and bus drivers. TfL used their film in
schools across the capital and other
cities have used it as well.
Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, the
council’s cabinet member for transport,
environment and leisure, said: “This
scheme has been a great success
in engaging young people in the
importance of sustainable travel. It has
seen Brentside and other local schools
take part in projects where the main aim
has been trying to introduce more walking
or cycling instead of taking the car. It is, of
course, a habit worth developing because
it is healthier –in terms of individual
exercise and also on a wider scale by
helping to lower air pollution.
“Since joining the scheme in 2014,
Brentside has seen a year-on-year increase
in walking of 10% and a corresponding
decrease in bus and car use. The pupils’
idea for a walking app was brilliant and
it is great to see others have stepped
up to the challenge they set.”
Brentside was shortlisted for
‘Excellence in Walking’ at the
national Modeshift awards. The
winners were due to be announced as
Around Ealing went to press. See more
at www.modeshift.org.uk
around ealing
Winter 2016/17
31