The consultation follows the council’s successful trial of a School Street which restricted traffic at the beginning and end of the school day in St Adrians Close for Wessex Primary School.
This meant more parents and pupils were able to walk or wheel in a safer and less congested environment, improving their health and cutting carbon omissions.
With residents and the school’s community supportive of the School Street becoming permanent, options to make this a reality have been explored – including how to support the small number of volunteer stewards originally managing the scheme.
Plans are now proposed for a number plate recognition camera in St Adrian’s Close to replace the volunteer stewards so that residents, school staff, blue badge holders and emergency services can continue to use the road at the beginning and end of the school day.
The council’s School Street initiative is funded by an active travel grant. A video on YouTube shows the St Adrians Close scheme in action, highlighting the congested traffic before the trial compared to the road as a School Street with far more parents and pupils walking and wheeling.
Councillor Catherine del Campo, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health, and Housing Services, said: “You need only look at the video to see the huge difference this makes to the environment and to everyone’s health. The numbers of parents and pupils chatting to and from school, stretching their legs and enjoying being out of their cars.
“Before the trial started, only ten per cent of pupils, parents and guardians said they felt safe walking and wheeling to school compared to eighty-four per cent once the scheme started. And 35 per cent say they now walk or wheel more or further as a result. So I urge everyone with an interest in the St Adrian’s Close School Street to take part in the consultation.”
Please visit the RBWM Together website for more information on the consultation, or to have your say, by Monday 4 November.