More pupils than ever before are benefiting from safer and healthier journeys to school as new School Streets go live.
The award-winning initiative, which bans non-essential journeys on roads around schools during the school-run, has now expanded to Cypress Primary School and Winterbourne Junior Girls, Boys and Nursery. Another new scheme for Fairchildes Primary and Meridian High School is set to get underway in March.
In total more than 8,000 pupils at 15 Croydon schools now benefit from the schemes with formal consultations on creating a further 10 schemes across the borough set to begin in April.
School Streets make it easier and safer for children to walk to school as well as improving air quality outside the school gates which helps pupils, parents, staff and the local community.
Residents and those needing to access the school during these times, including parents of disabled children or those with special requirements, can apply for an exemption. During the first month of the scheme drivers who breach the order will receive a warning rather than a fine.
Croydon led the way introducing School Streets back in 2017 with the initiative going from strength to strength.
“I’m delighted even more pupils will be benefitting from this scheme, which makes the area around a school entrance much safer.
“School Streets have been proven to encourage more parents who can do so to walk their children to school, leading to fewer school run trips and less pollution as a result. That means less congestion, safer schools and healthier pupils.”
Councillor Stuart King, cabinet lead for environment and transport
Jo Sorensen, head of school at Cypress Primary School, said: “Cypress Primary School are in full support of the School Streets initiative.
“Families, children and staff have already commented on improved road safety and cleaner air around the school gates. The atmosphere outside the school in the mornings and at the end of the day is more settled and children feel safer.”
The next round of consultations will begin in April for 10 roads:
- Oasis Academy Ryelands, Oakley and Sandown Road
- Keston Primary School, Keston Avenue
- Kingsley Primary Academy, Thomson Crescent and Chapman Road
- Downsview Primary School, Marston Way
- Ridgeway Primary School, Southcote Road
- Harris Primary Academy Hailing Park, Haling Road
- St. Joseph’s Catholic Junior School, Woodend
- Ecclesbourne Primary School, Attlee Close
- St Thomas Becket Catholic Primary, Dickenson’s Lane
- Christ Church Church of England Primary School, Montpelier Road
