CLIMATE ACTION
Children at Willow Tree Primary have embraced the scheme
Moving forwards
At 10 schools across the borough , special travel schemes are to be made permanent , after being tried out during the last school year – with some likely to be in place as the new autumn term arrives , reports Dan Stephens .
A
School Street is a designated area around a school with some restrictions on traffic in place at its opening and closing times . In effect , it makes the vicinity around that school a pedestrian and cycle-only zone .
This helps to achieve a safer , more pleasant and environmentally-friendly experience for children and parents travelling to and from school , as well as pedestrians and cyclists – while maintaining access for residents and businesses within the zone .
‘ HAD A MASSIVE IMPACT ’ Willow Tree Primary in Northolt is one school to have already benefited from setting up a school street to make the trip to and from the classroom safer and greener .
Headteacher Sue Stanley explained : “ The school streets initiative has had a massive impact . The streets surrounding the school are much safer at the beginning and end of the day .
It is also helping us to increase our exercise . It is wonderful to see so many more children coming to school by walking or on scooters and bikes .”
Councillor Josh Blacker , the council ’ s cabinet member for healthy lives , said : “ Our school streets will make it easier and safer for children and parents to choose to walk , cycle or scoot to school . The physical and mental benefits to children are clear for everyone to see , with concentration levels and mental wellbeing boosted by the exercise in the mornings , in particular .”
‘ SMALL STEPS CAN MAKE BIG DIFFERENCE ’ Councillor Deirdre Costigan , the council ’ s cabinet member for climate action , added : “ Our school streets have been a huge success with pupils , parents and school staff and I ’ m delighted we ’ re making them permanent . The more of us choosing to do the school run this way , the more we will reduce the amount of short car trips being made locally .
“ This will help to reduce the levels of dangerous air pollution in the borough . Tackling the climate crisis is one of Ealing ’ s very top priorities and small steps like this can make a big difference .” Read the full article at aroundealing . com / news / school-streets-stay
IT ’ S A JUNGLE OUT THERE A new campaign aimed at Year 6 pupils who are about to move from primary to secondary schools is using fun videos using wild animals to teach children about road safety . It is being run by the London Road Safety Council and has involved special classes and assemblies taking place with a road safety officer , alongside extra support for pupils and parents . It aims to prepare children for a new and potentially unfamiliar journey and help them to make safe decisions on and around the road .
around ealing Autumn 2021 25