Overview

What is this consultation about?

This consultation is about gathering your views on school streets and whether you would welcome one being trialled at Benhurst Primary School.

How does a school street work?

A school street scheme closes roads to non-essential vehicles around the entrance to schools at opening and closing times.

Only pedestrians and non-motorised vehicles are permitted to access a zone while the restriction is in place, with exceptions made for emergency vehicles.

Signage stating the zone times and days of operation is displayed at the entrance and exits of the zone. Additional early warning signs are positioned in roads approaching a zone on appropriate street furniture such as lamp columns.

A school street zone is monitored by unattended cameras mounted on lamp columns or posts at the entry and exit points of a zone. Vehicles seen entering the restricted area during the times of prohibition without a virtual access permit will be issued a Penalty Charge Notice.

Why are these changes being proposed?

The Council is committed to making Havering’s roads safer for everyone living, working and visiting the borough. We are creating a cleaner environment that will reduce air pollution and improve the health and wellbeing of the community by encouraging more walking and cycling wherever possible.

The aim is to improve local air quality and make it easier and safer for children and their parents to walk and cycle to school.

Reducing the use of private car journeys to and from school should lead to:

• Less road danger from traffic
• Less anti-social behaviour from inconsiderate parking and dangerous driving
• More walking and cycling by children and parents
• Reduced congestion and pollution from vehicles waiting with their engines running

What are the benefits of a school street?

A school street supports the aims of school travel plans which explore how pupils, staff and visitors travel to and from the school by promoting active, healthy, safe and sustainable travel to school as an alternative to short, single occupancy car journeys.

Health benefits

Exercising vigorously at least once a day for children is key to a long lasting good health, which could be easily achieved by having an active journey to school.

Physical activity also leads to chemical changes in the brain that trigger a positive mood and a feel good mind-set.

Air quality

Children’s lung development is particularly at risk from air pollution damage that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Pollution worsens asthma and increases the risk of developing allergies.

Pollution also impacts the brain by reducing attentiveness and memory. It has been linked to depression, anxiety, attention deficit disorder and raises the risk of heart disease later in life.

Road danger reduction

School run related traffic accounts for a quarter of cars on the road and adds 254,000 vehicles a day in London alone. This results in increased risks of collisions with vulnerable road users and other motorists, unlawful parking, traffic jams and road rage. 

Statistics from the Department of Transport reveal that 14% of children killed on Great Britain’s roads in 2018 were between the morning school run (7-9am) and 23% after school between 3-5pm.

Are any vehicles permitted access to a school street zone?

Residents living within a zone are permitted to enter and exit during the times of operation, but are encouraged to avoid driving through the zone at school start and finish times when possible.

Access is permitted to a school street zone during the times of operation for parents and guardians with children that are blue badge holders. This is extended to parents and guardians who are blue badge holders with children attending an infant school.

It is recognised registered and unregistered carers may also need access to a property within a school street during the times of operation to provide essential care and will be granted access.  

A resident or business that owns private parking inside of a zone may require access during the times of operation. In this instance documents showing ownership will be required when applying for a virtual school street access permit. 

The restriction does not prevent residents and their visitors leaving the street during the times of operation, as only access is restricted for the purpose of keeping the area free of traffic for children’s health and safety.

Can school staff still access private parking on school premises?

Access during the times of the prohibition will be permitted for staff in the instance a school has off street private parking provided exclusively for staff.  

However, we strongly encourage staff arrive and leave school premises outside of the times of the prohibition, to keep the road clear of vehicular traffic for the safety of children.

Why your views matter

We are asking for your opinion to help guide us on making the right decisions for the safety of children at the London Borough of Havering’s schools.