Local people invited to share views on proposals to expand Redbridge’s School Streets programme
Published: 12 September 2024
Redbridge Council is proposing to expand its successful School Streets programme to 18 more locations around the borough and wants local people to share their views on the plans.
There are more than 20 Schools in the existing School Streets programme, and Redbridge is proposing to include a further 18, listed below:
- Aldborough Primary School
- Beal High School
- Caterham High School
- Chadwell Heath High School
- Coppice Primary School
- Forest Academy
- Goodmayes Primary School
- King Solomon and Wohl Ilford Jewish School / Happy Orkids Nursery / Redbridge Alternative Provision
- Mossford Green Primary School
- Nightingale Primary School
- Oaks Park High School
- Parkhill Infants and Junior School
- Roding Primary School
- Seven Kings Primary School
- South Park Primary School
- St Aidan’s Catholic Primary Academy
- St Bede’s Catholic Primary School and Nursery
- Wells Primary School
The Council is keen to hear local people’s views on the 18 new proposed School Streets and is asking the community to share their feedback via a public consultation.
To find out more about proposals for each school, and to leave feedback go to: https://engage.redbridge.gov.uk/hub-page/school-streets-schemes
If you are unable to access the consultation information and survey online you can contact the School Streets Team at London Borough of Redbridge, 2nd Floor (Front), Lynton House, 255-259 High Road, Ilford, IG1 1NY.
The consultation closes at 23.59 on Monday 21 October, 2024
Since it was first launched in 2019, Redbridge’s successful School Streets programme has helped create safer, and healthier school journeys for local school children.
Under the initiative, non-residential motor vehicles are restricted from entering certain roads around schools that are part of the Redbridge School Streets programme.
The term-time based restrictions only apply for around an hour or so, at the start and end of the school day, helping eliminate dangerous traffic hotspots near schools, and making children less vulnerable to road accidents by creating a safer journey to and from school.
Fewer vehicles by 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.
Local people and businesses residing in a school street zone can apply for a free vehicle exemption permit enabling them to access their properties as usual during the traffic restriction periods.
Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability Cllr Jo Blackman said: “School Street schemes are making a difference across the borough with safer and calmer roads around the school entrance. As part of our commitment to children’s health and safety, we are pleased to be offering more schools the opportunity to benefit from this scheme. We encourage all residents to share their views through the consultation to help shape these schemes.”
The most recent data relating to School Streets implemented last year show an overall reduction in traffic entering those streets by an average of 42%. Local children whose schools are part of existing School Streets also shared their opinions on it recently:
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, also from Fullwood School 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.”
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