The council team behind an innovative solution to reduce traffic around three schools in Croydon has won a third award for the scheme.
Croydon Council’s parking team helped trial a scheme creating temporary pedestrian zones around Woodcote Primary School in Coulsdon and Heavers Farm Primary School and St Chad’s Catholic Primary School, both in Selhurst.
The solution was introduced in September on a temporary basis after the schools, parents, residents and police raised concerns about safety during the school run.
Now the parking plans have won the London Road Safety Award 2018, building on two awards the scheme scooped at the British Parking Awards this year.
“This scheme has had a real positive impact improving safety in the roads around the schools.
“The initiative has already won two awards at the British Parking Awards and I’m delighted our pioneering work to tackle this problem is drawing the praise it deserves.”
Councillor Stuart King, cabinet member for environment, transport and regeneration
Ian Edwards, chair of the London Road Safety Council Award judging panel, said: “The judges felt this was an excellent and exciting approach to an issue all local authorities face – how to reduce school parking and encourage more active travel. It is also an excellent example of interdisciplinary working across a wide range of sectors.”
The restrictions ban most traffic from the neighbourhood roads around the schools during the mornings and afternoons when they are busiest.
Exemption permits are available to local residents, staff at the school, those with mobility issues and others with a legitimate need to access the roads.
All three pedestrian zones have since been made permanent and the initiative could be offered to other schools in the borough on a case-by-case basis.
