Redbridge School Streets Programme announced to go ahead in four more schools

A further 2,000 pupils across the borough will enjoy healthier and safer school journeys as Redbridge’s successful School Streets Programme is due to be rolled out at a further four schools after the October half-term.

Highlands Primary School, Manford Primary School, Farnham Green Primary School and Our Lady of Lourdes R.C. Primary School are the newest additions to the programme, which will come into effect from Monday 31 October.

The initiative means motor vehicles from outside the zone will not be able to enter the streets surrounding the schools, for around an hour, at the start and end of the school day during term time to eliminate dangerous traffic hotspots near the schools, and make children less vulnerable to road accidents by creating a safer journey to school. Find out about exact times for each school here.

Supported by head teachers and families, the restrictions also help in reducing children’s exposure to harmful vehicle emissions, and encourage more walking, scooting, and cycling to school.

The four additions of the School Streets mean that the pupils will join over 3,700 children around Redbridge already enjoying healthier and safer school journeys, increasing the total number of schools in the scheme to 11. Residents and businesses within the zone will be able to apply for exemptions so that they can access their properties as usual.

Cabinet Member for Environment and Civic Pride, Cllr Jo Blackman, said: “I’m really pleased to welcome the new additions 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.

“These school streets schemes are making a significant and positive impact across our borough by encouraging healthier travel choices and making the journey to school safer for children.

“Across the borough, we provide schools with a wide range of support to improve air quality, active travel and road safety including cycle 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.

“These schemes can also help tackle climate change by encouraging active travel and reducing emissions. It takes all of us working together to create a cleaner and greener Redbridge that we can enjoy now, and for future generations.”

Leader of Redbridge Council, Cllr Jas Athwal, said: “Children’s safety, from vehicles and pollution, is at the heart of the School Streets Programme, and I am pleased to see the addition of four more schools to the programme.

“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.”

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 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.

Letters have gone out to all residents or businesses located in a school streets zone, and those affected must apply for a FREE exemption for your vehicle to avoid getting fined here.

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

 

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