They also encourage the use of more environmentally friendly modes of transport. Engineering and educational programmes are implemented into every scheme in order to control the movement of traffic and develop the road user skills of school children.

Engineering proposals are designed based on the child casualty trend at sites that show a high level of risk. All residents of a Safer Routes to School haven are invited to comment on proposals before any work is carried out. Proposals might include:

• Traffic calming: road humps/cushions, speed tables
• One way systems
• School entrance treatment: Painted school warning signs on carriageway
• School Crossing Patrol treatment: Wig-Wags, coloured road surface, warning signs

Further consultation is carried out after each scheme to determine how the residents rate its effectiveness and to assess if any further treatment is required.

A timetable covering relevant road safety topics is established and taught in all schools within the Safer Routes to School area. These include modules on general road safety, seatbelt wearing and in-car safety, dangers of parking outside schools, promotion of walking and cycling safely and basic skills and on-road cyclist training. Schools are also encouraged to participate in the Council's Junior Road Safety Officers scheme and Theatre - in - Education programme.

Schools are encouraged to continue the work of the Safety Education Officer through topic work, and are invited to request further road safety sessions covering school specific problems.

Helen McAuley is Newham's Senior School Travel Advisor. Contact her on 020 8430 2753 or by email at helen.mcauley@newham.gov.uk.

School Travel Plans are an integral and important element of all Newham Safer Routes to Schools schemes.