Agenda item

This report considers the objections and responses from the consultation on the Public Notice of 23 May 2019 on School Streets.

Officers introduced the report stating that a pilot at three schools had been made permanent the previous year, and the report in the agenda recommended creating School Streets surrounding a further eight schools. The aim of the scheme was to improve the health of young people and to reduce congestion near schools at school pick-up and drop-off times.

Members noted that Fairchildes School had not been included in the report, and officers confirmed that following consultation with residents an Experimental Traffic Management Order was proposed which was supported by the ward councillors and the Head Teacher. The report on the Fairchildes scheme was due to be considered and agreed by the Executive Director Place, and would be shared with the Chair and Lead Opposition Member.

Officers informed Members that residents could, and had, responded on the proposals for more than one school. It was noted that all the responses received were outlined within the report, and that across the seven locations there was an even level of support and objection; although it was noted that some roads were supportive whereas others were in objection.

In response to Member questions, officers stated there was no specific data in relation to the number of accidents or types of accidents; however the creation of safer roads around schools would support a reduction in accidents.

Members raised concerns relating to the displacement of traffic in the roads surrounding Woodcote Primary School following the decision to make it a School Street in 2018. It was stated that within the local area there were a number of cul-de-sacs and closes which were being affected by the displacement of traffic, and while there were mobile patrols of the local roads residents were raising concerns. Officers confirmed that they had visited the cul-de-sacs and it was noted that the roads were saturated with parking; as such there was no opportunity for displacement. Furthermore, it was stated that the further people had to travel to park their car to drop of their children the more likely it was to encourage behavioural change to walk, cycle or scoot to school.

Officers informed Members that in response to the displacement experienced by residents in Coulsdon, residents were being encouraged to petition for parking controls as it was recognised that there were some difficulties in the local area in relation to parking.

In response to Member questions, officers stated that Royal Mail vehicles were able to access any road during the restrictions; however it was not the intention of the council to provide access to delivery vehicles as it was important to ensure the roads were safe and it was noted that uncongested roads can lead to people to drive faster. In terms of children who require to be dropped off by the school; the council required the school to inform them to allow the vehicle access to the road.

The Chair informed Members that the council had received a number of requests from schools to be a part of the School Streets, and that part of the process of deciding which schools to proceed with was looking at whether they had travel plans.

It was felt that the scheme had encouraged a behavioural change as the three original schools in the scheme had seen a reduction in the number of students arriving by car. Additionally, it had been seen that while some displacement of traffic had been experienced; that the parking had been better with fewer cars being parking on dangerous corners or across peoples driveways.

Officers informed Members that Harris Academy Purley had approached the school to be part of the scheme; and as Regina Coeli Primary School was located on the same road it was contacted. The school was in support of the scheme, and so had been included.

Members were informed that in addition to more courteous parking, and a decrease in the number of pupils arriving by car, the three original schools had also seen an improvement in punctuality. By working with the schools to improve cycle proficiency and encouraging walking it was an aim to not only improve safety, but to also tackle childhood obesity.

Officers confirmed that the impact of the scheme was being reviewed and changes were being made where possible. The council had, and would continue to, review the impact with surveys. In addition to surveys; air quality, health benefits and punctuality would also be considered to understand the effect of the scheme. It was further noted by Members that the enforcement resource was limited, and that this scheme enabled the council to focus on fewer problem schools and provided an improved response rate.

Some Members stated their support for the scheme which sought to address the issue of dangerous streets surrounding schools around drop-off and pick-up time, and to improve the health of young people in the borough. It was noted that the results from the original three schools showed a number of benefits, and as such it was beneficial to support other schools to realise the benefits also.

Following a vote the Committee voted four in support of the recommendations, and two abstentions.

RESOLVED: That the Traffic Management Advisory Committee recommend to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Regeneration (job share) that they

1.     Consider the objections and responses from the consultation on the Public Notice of 23 May 2019 (attached at Appendix 1 of the report);

2.     For the reasons detailed within the report to introduce School Street schemes under the permanent Traffic Management Order procedure in the following 7 locations as detailed in the Public Notice of 23 May 2019:

·       Abingdon Road (between Turle Road & Upwood Road), at Norbury Manor Primary School;

·       Biggin Way (between Biggin Hill & Downsview Road), at Downsview Primary and Nursery Schools;

·       Brading Road (between Cecil Road & Lavender Road) and Rosecourt Road, at West Thornton Primary Academy;

·       Cypress Road, at Cypress Primary School;

·       Goston Gardens (between Winterbourne Road & Oaklands Avenue) and Winterbourne Road (between London Road & Wiltshire Road), at Winterbourne Girls and Boys Schools;

·       Kendra Hall Road, at Harris Academy Purley and Regina Coeli Primary School; and

·       Little Roke Road (between Lower Road & the north-western flank wall of No. 47 Little Roke Road), at Harris Primary Academy Kenley.