School Street programme could expand to help eight more schools

More pupils could be set to benefit from safer streets and cleaner air around their schools if plans to ban road traffic during school run times go ahead.

Following on from a successful pilot that saw pedestrian zones introduced around three schools in 2017, up to eight new schools could benefit from the initiative.

A shortlist of schools who expressed interest has been drawn up, with letters sent to the school communities and nearby residents to gather their views.

The new School Streets would come into effect from September 2019, but only during the morning and afternoon school run. They are designed to help improve road safety around the schools and air quality.

Residents’ cars would not be affected by the pedestrian zone.

The eight shortlisted schools are:

  • Norbury Manor Primary, Norbury
  • Cypress Primary, South Norwood
  • Winterbourne Junior Girls, Bensham Manor
  • Fairchildes Primary, New Addington
  • Harris Academy Purley, Purley Oaks and Riddlesdown
  • Downsview Primary & nursery, Upper Norwood
  • Harris Primary Academy Kenley, Kenley
  • West Thornton Primary Academy, Broad Green

In 2017 the School Streets were created on roads around Woodcote Primary School, Coulsdon and Heavers Farm Primary School and St Chad’s Catholic Primary School, both in Selhurst.

Sharon Walton, Business Leader at Norbury Manor Primary School, one of the schools shortlisted for a new pedestrian zone, said: “Our school would benefit from the pedestrian zone in reducing the peak time pressures in and around the school site.

“We have been working with the local safer neighbourhood policing team to promote safe parking and access to our school site. We believe our local residents would benefit from reduced traffic flow and our whole community would benefit from improved air quality.

“Our pupils’ safety in journeying to school is of the utmost importance.”

Letters have been sent to the eight schools and nearby residents ahead of a consultation due to take place later this year.

“The three School Streets we introduced in 2017 have been a huge success and brought real benefits to their communities.

“We want to work with schools and residents to make these next schemes as successful as their award-winning predecessors.

“The three School Streets led to 250 fewer children travelling to school by car with most of them walking, cycling or scooting to school instead.”

Councillor Stuart King, cabinet lead for environment and transport

2019-02-01T15:42:09+00:00 February 1st, 2019|Recent news|