The roads close to 12 more schools around the borough could be about to be given School Street status and subjected to strict term-time traffic restrictions.
The council yesterday announced a month-long consultation on its proposals, which have the support of the Conservative Mayor, Jason Perry.
“We know how important it is to make sure pupils can get to and from school safely, and School Street schemes can make a difference,” the Mayor said.
The council has already introduced 24 schemes across the borough to encourage healthy journeys during the busy school run, and where drivers risk a fixed penalty notice and a fine of at least £60 if they drive into the School Street during the proscribed times and days.
In making its latest announcement, the council said, “School Streets have been proven to improve safety around schools and encourage pupils to walk, cycle and scoot more often by closing the surrounding roads to cars and other motor traffic during school drop-off and pick-up times.”
The following schools are subject to the new proposals:
- Harris Academy South Norwood – Cumberlow Avenue SE25 6AE
- South Norwood Primary School – Crowther Road SE25 5QP, Birchanger Road SE25 5BA and Gresham Road SE25 5JT
- Krishna Avanti Primary School – Southbridge Place CR0 5HA
- Howard Primary School – Dering Place CR0 1DT and Barham Road CR2 6LD
- Gonville Academy – Gonville Road CR7 6DL
- Kenley Primary School and Kindergarten – New Barn Lane CR3 0EX and Mosslea Road CR3 0DQ
- Park Hill Junior and Infants School – Stanhope Road CR0 5NS
- Oasis Academy Shirley Park – Stroud Green Way CR0 7BE and Swinburne Crescent CR0 7BE
- The Crescent Primary School and The BRIT School – The Crescent SE25 5PG and Saracen Close CR0 2HD
- St Cyprian’s Greek Orthodox Primary Academy – Springfield Road CR7 8DY and Ingram Road CR7 8EE
- Good Shepherd Catholic Primary and Nursery School – Dunley Drive CR0 0RG and Walker Close CR0 0EN
Residents living within any scheme areas will be eligible to apply for a free School Street Exemption permit, so they can have access at all times. In addition, the council will provide permits and exemptions to some road-users who may need access, such as emergency services or refuse vehicles.
Healthy street: Bijal Pandya, the principal, and site manager Ian Garrard outside Krishna Avanti, one of the schools in the consultation
The council says that “many” Croydon schools have been requesting School Street schemes since the programme began in 2017, noting safety concerns, and the need for more active travel to tackle childhood obesity and improve children’s mental health.
Bijal Pandya, the principal of the Krishna Avanti Primary School, which is sited alongside the Croydon Flyover, said, “Road safety around our school is a major concern. I have been working hard for the past year to find ways to make the streets around Krishna Avanti Primary School safer for our pupils and the local community.
“The roads here can become very busy with speeding vehicles, a lack of school signage and railings along the entry and exit points to the school.
“I really want to encourage everyone living locally and parents and carers to take part in this consultation so we can address these issues as a collective.”
The consultation runs until July 30, providing, the council says, “an opportunity for the public to give feedback on the proposals”.
Responses can be submitted via the council website by clicking here or by writing to: Highway Improvements team, Croydon Council, Bernard Weatherill House, 8 Mint Walk Croydon CR0 1EA, referencing whichever scheme is intended for comment.
More information about Healthy School Streets can be found on the council website.
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Krishna Avanti Primary School. Interesting that there are plans to put restrictions on Southbridge Place for safety and air quality, etc…… What will they do about the air quality on the “flyover side” of the school where there are regular traffic queues with the usual emissions?
I note that a Council official wants to encourage pupils (inter alia) to “scoot” to school … but I believe that the use of scooters on public roads and pavements is illegal. Am I wrong?
Even if it IS legal, my observations of people using scooters is that they represent far more danger to both themselves and pedestrians than might be caused by traffic.
Child-powered scooters remain entirely legal, just as they have always been, Martin.
I can guarantee you Martin that 1 half ton cars cause many more serious injuries and collisions than children’s push scooter. Not to mention the very detrimental effects of air pollution
What about parents being lazy and driving to Selsdon Junior and Infants instead of walking and ignoring double yellows and generally blocking the side streets and main road? Such a problem cannot be unique to that establishment!
all the Southbridge Place closure will do is force traffic on to another heavily congested local road ,., with narrow pavements .. used by pedestrians to get to another local school. other roads will now become unsafe rat runs … locals in the are are sick to death of the car owner /driver being demonised all the time .. incidentally the congested narrow road ( Southbridge Road) is the one TFL wants to run a bus route down. there is barely room for two cars to pass .. let alone buses .
Hi hazel, I understand the concern, there’s a interesting study you might be interested in done by Edinburgh university in regard to school closures. They note:
‘Alongside increasing active travel, the findings also suggest that in almost all cases, the total number of motor vehicles across school street closures and neighbouring streets reduced.’
It’s not about demonising motorists, people need to use cars. But it’s just trying to best to separate cars from more vulnerable pedestrians like children and encouraging more active travel. I have two little girls who suffer from asthma so see the repercussions of air pollution first hand. Here’s a link to the study: https://www.napier.ac.uk/about-us/news/school-street-closures