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What are School Streets?
School streets are pioneering schemes to transform roads outside schools, so that pedestrians and cyclists can use them safely at school start and finish times. The Mayor of Tower Hamlets has an aspiration to develop 50 School Streets by 2022. We want to create areas where children can safely walk or wheel to and from school. School streets aim to encourage activity, reduce pollution and help growth, learning and development.
Each school will have different proposals, but all will feature greenery to improve air quality and the environment for everyone. Staff, residents and businesses will stillContinue reading
What are School Streets?
School streets are pioneering schemes to transform roads outside schools, so that pedestrians and cyclists can use them safely at school start and finish times. The Mayor of Tower Hamlets has an aspiration to develop 50 School Streets by 2022. We want to create areas where children can safely walk or wheel to and from school. School streets aim to encourage activity, reduce pollution and help growth, learning and development.
Each school will have different proposals, but all will feature greenery to improve air quality and the environment for everyone. Staff, residents and businesses will still be able to access the area while making it safer and quieter for the school and the community.
Why do we need School Streets?
Improve road safety Unfortunately, children are some of the most vulnerable road users. We will look at the design of the roads and pavements to make it as safe as possible for children on the way to school. Find out what’s happening at your school at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schoolstreets
Protect children from pollution Harmful air pollution affects the health and wellbeing of children and most schools in Tower Hamlets are exposed to motor vehicle traffic fumes. Children’s lung capacity can be reduced by breathing toxic air which can affect all organs in their body and their long-term health. Green walls, trees and gardens can absorb noise and pollution with some roads outside schools closed to traffic at drop-off and pick-up times. Find out more about our Breathe Clean campaign.
Encourage active travel Busy roads can make it feel unsafe to walk and cycle. We can widen pavements, introduce crossings and calm traffic to allow more children to safely walk, scoot and cycle. Where possible, schools can provide space for storing bikes and scooters safely. Find out more on the Tower Hamlets website.
Have your say
We'd love to hear your views on the second phase of School Streets proposals:
If you require another format of any plan or explanation of the design proposals, e-mail schoolstreets@towerhamlets.gov.uk
The first phase of School Streets to be implemented in autumn 2020 included:
Your feedback will help us reach a decision on whether to proceed with these proposals. The results will be published here and on the Tower Hamlets School Streets page.
Should the Council proceed with these proposals, residents, businesses and schools will receive a letter to inform them about the start date of the scheme and registering a vehicle for exemption. Public notices advising of the changes will be displayed on street.
Due to high levels of consultation responses, we will not be able to individually respond to all replies.
The Council will use the information you provide for the purpose of this proposal. We will not share the information with other Council departments or external bodies. We will always process your information in accordance with the law.
For more information on the basis on which we process, use and store your information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.
What are we doing?
A plan is below outlining the proposals. Changes could include:
• Restricting traffic at the start and end of schooldays
• A closure of the junction of Upper North Street with Grundy street and a closure of a section of Ricardo Street with streetscape improvements including tree planting and a two new pocket park
• Enhancement of the school’s on-street presence with artwork, signage and a new direct pathway
• Two new zebra crossings on Kerby Street
• Green walls to filter air and create attractive spaces
• Improvements to footway including widening and new surfaces
What are we doing?
A plan is below outlining the proposals. Changes could include:
• Restricting traffic at the start and end of schooldays
• A closure of the junction of Upper North Street with Grundy street and a closure of a section of Ricardo Street with streetscape improvements including tree planting and a two new pocket park
• Enhancement of the school’s on-street presence with artwork, signage and a new direct pathway
• Two new zebra crossings on Kerby Street
• Green walls to filter air and create attractive spaces
• Improvements to footway including widening and new surfaces
How will the School Street work?
Ricardo Street, Bygrove Street, Annabel Close and Grundy Street (between Duff Street and Annabel Close) will be made a pedestrian and cycle only zone between 8.15am-9.15am and 3.00pm-4.00pm on school days.
• Access for residents & businesses of those streets, school staff, blue badge users and SEND pupils will be allowed if the vehicle is registered for an exemption, which can be requested free of charge using a form online.
• Other vehicles driven by visitors, parents and delivery vehicles will not be permitted to enter the zone when in operation.
• Vehicles not registered within the restricted streets can leave during operational hours but cannot return between 8.15am-9.15am and 3.00pm-4.00pm on school days.
• The zones will be enforced by cameras and vehicles not exempted entering will be automatically issued a penalty charge notice.
• We are also introducing Green Walls, Clean Air Gardens and tree planting, in and around the school.
• If approved, a trial of the traffic management/restrictions will run for 18 months. A decision on whether to make the scheme is made permanent will be made following feedback and site assessments during these 18 months.
Project team