A further eight schools have had their Healthy Schools Streets zones made permanent when their temporary status ended on 24 July.

The Healthy School Streets programme aims to reduce traffic, make roads safer and improve air quality outside schools by encouraging parents to travel to school more sustainably, such as by walking, cycling and using public transport instead of travelling by car.

The eight schools which are from group four of the programme are:

  • Harris Academy Invictus,
  • Harris Academy Beulah Hill,
  • Oasis Academy Byron,
  • Elmwood Infant and Junior School,
  • The Minster Nursery and Infant School and The Write Time School,
  • Kensington Primary School and Norbury High School for Girls,
  • Rockmount Primary School,
  • St James The Great School RC Primary and Nursery School.

The new Healthy School Streets will operate Monday – Friday from 8am – 9:30am and from 2pm – 4pm during term time only. They will be enforced by ANPR cameras at the entrance to the Healthy School Street zones.

Residents living within the zones will be eligible to apply for exemption permits so that they can drive through the restricted zone without receiving a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). School staff can also apply for exemption permits. Residents who need taxis for medical appointments during the enforcement times can register the taxis for a temporary permit.

Harris Primary Academy Purley Way, Harris City Academy Crystal Palace and Rowdown Primary School may be implemented at a later date, subject to further engagement.

St Peter’s Primary Healthy School Street will also not be made permanent. Its enforcement ceased on 24 July after objections were received about adverse traffic impacts, such as congestion and illegal parking, which had an impact on road safety.

A further six schools from group five went out to an informal consultation during May to understand residents’ and parents’ views. Two of the schools – Applegarth Academy and Beulah Infant and Nursery School – will proceed to statutory consultation with the aim to become permanent. For Applegarth Academy the council listened to residents and have reduced the pedestrian zone to Bygrove only.

John Wood Primary School and Riddlesdown Collegiate will no longer be considered for the Healthy School Street schemes. It was felt that the John Wood Primary School scheme would have an adverse effect on the local road network, which would impact road safety and air quality. Riddlesdown Collegiate was rejected because of concerns with antisocial behaviour in the area, the local road network and footways being very steep and a lack of regular buses.

“Thank you to residents and parents who have told us what they think of Healthy School Streets in their area.

“We know how important the scheme is to encourage more active and sustainable travel and using the car less which makes the trip to school healthier, greener and safer.

“The views from the consultations shape and impact on whether the schemes go ahead or withdrawn, so your voice does matter.”

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon