Six new schools join Redbridge Schools Streets programme to create safer and healthier school journeys for local school children

More school children in the borough will enjoy healthier and safer school journeys as Redbridge’s successful School Streets Programme is rolled out at a further six new schools from September.

The new schools joining Redbridge’s School Street programme from Monday 2 September will be: 

• Christchurch Primary School
• Cleveland Road Primary School
• Newbury Park Primary School
• Uphall Primary School
• Oakdale Infant School
• Oakdale Junior School
• Farnham Green Primary School, who are already part of the School Street Programme, is extending their School Street zones to Douglas Road from Monday 2 September

Under the initiative non-residential motor vehicles will be unable to enter school street zones surrounding the schools, for around an hour, at the start and end of the school day during term times.

The vehicle restrictions help eliminate dangerous traffic hotspots near the schools, making children less vulnerable to road accidents by creating a safer journey to and from school.

Fewer vehicles by the schools also help reduce children’s exposure to harmful vehicle emissions, and encourage more walking, scooting, and cycling to school for a more active and healthier school journey.

There are now 21 schools streets in the borough, including the newest ones.

Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability Cllr Jo Blackman said: “I’m really pleased to welcome six more schools to Redbridge’s School Streets Programme, and want to thank those that will be adjusting their travel route around these schools or are planning to use greener modes of transport to support the initiative. With calmer and quieter streets during school pick-up and drop-off times, children will be able to walk, scoot and cycle more safely to and from school.”

Following a feedback session with schools who are part of Redbridge School Streets, the initiative was given a thumbs up by many local pupils.

Gabriel, 10, from Fullwood School said: “I think School Streets is a good idea because there are no more horning cars, and it’s less busy on the roads. We can also hear each other talk on the street when we are walking to school. Also, I chat more to my parents when we’re walking into school but it was a bit less talking when we came to school in a car. I like that cars can’t go in certain parts near schools.”

Asiya, 9, added: “When I come to school there is less cars now and it feels nice and peaceful. I feel a wave of happiness coming into school because it’s calm on the road and a nice start to the morning for all of us.”

Local people and businesses within the school street zones for the new September start school streets will be able to apply for exemption permits enabling them to access their properties as usual during the restriction periods.

Signs will be in place to notify drivers that school street zones can only be accessed by cyclists and pedestrians at the displayed times unless vehicles have been granted an exemption.

Non-exempt vehicles entering the school streets zones when restrictions are in force will be identified by traffic enforcement cameras and issued with a fine.

For more information about Redbridge School Streets, and to apply for an exemption now, visit www.redbridge.gov.uk/school-streets.

Complementing the School Streets road closures will be the council’s established programme of active and sustainable transport initiatives through the School Active Travel Planning process.

Across the borough, the council provides schools with a wide range of support to champion schemes to improve air quality, active travel, and road safety around schools, including cycle training, scooter training, pedestrian skills training, and behaviour change activities. These encourage pupils and their parents to walk, cycle and scoot to school, rather than being driven.

Child Friendly Redbridge

The Redbridge School Streets Programme is just one of the ways the council is working towards becoming a Child Friendly Redbridge and delivering on the priorities of the borough’s children and young people.

As part of UNICEF’s Child Friendly Cities and Communities programme, children from across Redbridge have told the council about the importance of clean air, tackling climate change, and improving road safety.

School Streets is an example of children shaping the council’s decision-making processes and shaping council policies, embodying the key principles of the Child Friendly Redbridge programme.

Find out more about Child Friendly Redbridge at www.redbridge.gov.uk/childfriendly

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