Case studies

As a keen cyclist Ann Warren has been to commuting to work all over London since she moved to Rotherhithe in 1976. When her second daughter started primary school, Ann was determined for her to be able to walk or cycle, but a dangerous junction on the route prevented a safe journey. Enthused by a ‘Sustrans Safe Routes to Schools’ conference, Ann started a campaign with the help of the school and other parents to change the junction.

What does the local community think?

“The council was reluctant to at first simply because there had been no accidents there, but this was due to the fact we couldn’t let our children anywhere near it. After two years of campaigning the council bent to public demand and changed the junction”, Ann said.

Further campaigning by Ann led to further safe route features, which included the council putting in a width restriction outside the school to stop local lorry companies using the road as a short cut. By the time Ann’s daughter was old enough to ride a bike she was happy to let her cycle to school. With her persuasion the local authority also funded cycle training and extra cycle sheds for the school. Ann’s championing, along with the efforts of other parents has really paid off, currently 70% of nine to 11 year olds cycle to the school.