As schools prepare to re-open, TfL has issued new guidance stressing the importance of enabling social distancing outside school gates and on London’s roads.
Under current Government plans, children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 in England will return to the classroom next Monday (1 June) – with pupils in Year 10 and Year 12 to follow suit two weeks later.
In preparation for this, TfL says helping London’s teaching professionals, parents and guardians, children and young people travel safely back to school is a ‘priority’.
Its new guidance calls on those who can to walk and cycle – to free up space on public transport for others who have no alternative way to travel.
For those who do travel actively, the plea is to use local Streetspace improvements, which include widened footpaths and cycle lanes, to help maintain social distancing.
Meanwhile, those who must use public transport, the advice is to plan ahead and allow more time for journeys – and to avoid busy stations and interchanges.
TfL guidance in full:
- Walk, cycle or scoot to school wherever possible
- Use local Streetspace improvements, which include widened footpaths and cycle lanes, to help maintain social distancing when travelling
- Avoid busy stations and interchanges, if using public transport. Please plan ahead and allow more time for your journey as travelling at the busiest times may take longer than it would normally, as queuing is likely. To help with this, please check tfl.gov.uk where you will find advice and information of how the network will operate differently
- If using public transport, or taxi and private hire services, please use a facial covering, carry a hand sanitizer and wash your hands before and after you travel. Follow the advice on maintaining social distancing and act on the instructions of our hardworking staff, who are there to help prevent crowding on the transport network.
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