School Streets programme to continue in Oxford and Abingdon
A scheme to make streets around schools safer is set to continue in four primary schools in Oxford and Abingdon.
A School Street is a timed road closure near school gates that restricts access for motor vehicles during school drop-off and pick-up times. The timed road closures create a safer environment for children, parents and teachers to walk or cycle to school.
School Streets was trialled at a group of primary schools last school year. Four schools are continuing the programme in the 2022/23 school year. These are Larkrise, St Ebbe’s and Windmill schools in Oxford, and St Nicolas school in Abingdon.
Schools that opted to join the trial were supported by Sustrans. Temporary gates to restrict motor vehicles were used during the trial while volunteers from Sustrans and participating schools monitored changes in travel patterns throughout the trial. Going forward automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras will be used to enforce the scheme.
Councillor Andrew Gant, Cabinet Member for Highways Management, said: “I am really delighted that we will be continuing to build on the successes seen during the School Streets trial. We are committed to make walking and cycling the first natural choice for people. School Streets make it easier for parents, children and teachers to choose healthier ways to travel.
“School communities, along with volunteers from Sustrans have worked extremely hard to help shape the plans and staff the temporary gates, helping to make the areas around school gates safer at start and finish times and reduce traffic impacts associated with school travel.
“We are now working closely with the schools to progress the next steps to bring the programme into being with a more sustainable model. We are keen to extend the programme more widely and welcome interest from more schools in trialling a School Street.”
ANPR cameras will be installed at entry points in autumn. School Streets will continue to be operated by volunteers till then. Details for applying for exemptions will be published in October 2022.
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For more information about this release contact the Oxfordshire County Council communications team on 01865 323870 or email press.office@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Notes to editors