Transport for London (TfL) is calling on London schools to join its accreditation programme to encourage sustainable travel to school, to help improve air quality, health and safety following a 10% increase in schools achieving the highest ‘Gold’ status last academic year.
To achieve Gold accreditation, a school must have reduced car use by 6% or achieved 90% of the school run being made using sustainable transport.
The number of schools awarded Gold in 2024 was 735, a 10% increase compared to 2023.
TfL reported that Bromley currently has the largest proportion of Gold schools, at an impressive 63%, followed by Islington at 49% and Havering at 45%.
Waltham Forest currently has the largest overall number of schools participating in the TfL Travel for Life programme, with 81% of its schools involved.
Bromley and Islington also have large numbers of schools participating, with 74% and 71% of schools respectively.
London’s walking and cycling commissioner Will Norman said: “The New Year is the perfect time to introduce children to sustainable travel so I would encourage as many schools as possible to join this fantastic scheme which improves the environment and supports fit and healthy lifestyles.
“We know that children who are introduced to active travel from a young age are more likely to continue the habit into adulthood – and it would be great to see even more schools involved this year.”
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