School Streets schemes set to expand

Children in Witney, Oxford and Abingdon are set to benefit from the expansion of the School Streets scheme.

Schools Streets aim to improve air quality and road safety by closing roads to traffic during drop-off and pick-up times.

The new schemes are being delivered by Oxfordshire County Council together with participating schools, in partnership with walking and cycling charity Sustrans.

In a six-week scheme starting on May 24, Tower Hill Primary School in Witney will join the trial.

From 7 June, St Nicolas Church of England Primary School in Abingdon and Larkrise Primary School in Oxford will also join the trials.

If the trials are deemed a success by the schools, they will be extended for a further 18 months.

On roads where the Schools Streets are being trialled, orange and white cones or barriers will be placed along the road in order to temporarily stop cars from going through.

Marshalls will also be on hand to enable residents to access or leave the property.

Anyone interested in having a School Street can register their interest with the council. Sustrans South is looking for volunteer steward leads for School Streets trials in Witney, Abingdon and Oxford.

Rosie Rowe, healthy place-shaping lead at Oxfordshire County Council, said: ‘We know that without safer streets, many children and their parents will not have the confidence to cycle or walk.

‘School Streets are a great way to allow this to happen, which not only offers a more sustainable form of travel that will improve air quality but provides the opportunity to increase the physical activity levels of school children and their families.’

Sarah Leeming, head of delivery at Sustrans, added: ‘Following the successful pilots in Oxford, Sustrans is delighted to be working with school communities in the county towns of Witney, Oxford and Abingdon in the role out of more School Streets.

‘It feels like momentum for School Streets is gathering pace across the county, with school staff, parents and residents keen to see a happier, safer and healthier environment outside the school gates.’

Photo Credit – supplied