Ealing Council has confirmed that the latest school street in the borough will commence on 13 March 2023 for Brentside Primary Academy in Hanwell.
Signage for the scheme has now started to go up in nearby streets to where Brentside Primary is located in Kennedy Road, warning drivers of the changes that are due to start next month.
Currently, there are more than 10 school streets across the borough since they were first introduced in September 2020 for Perivale Primary and St John Fisher Catholic schools
Following a consultation with 786 households at the end of 2022, a letter has now been sent to residents in and around the Brentside Primary school street from Nicky Batkin, principal transport planner at Ealing Council setting out further details.
In the letter, Ms Batkin said: “Following the consultation we undertook at the end of last year an independent evaluation was undertaken and Ealing Council have decided to proceed with the proposed School Street.
“A School Street is a scheme where the streets around a school are closed to traffic at school opening and closing times, whilst maintaining access for residents and businesses located within the designated pedestrian and cycle zone. Significantly reducing the number of motor vehicles accessing the road(s) around the school, at these limited times, will help to achieve a safer, more pleasant environment for the children on their school journey.
Overall, 64.7% positive scores were recorded in the consultation for ‘how do you feel about the proposal for a school street in your area?”‘ as opposed to 20.5% scoring negatively. 64% of respondents considered ‘Safer to walk and cycle’ to be the ‘most important’ aim of the School Street scheme. The reduction in traffic, as well as improved road safety, could support long term behaviour change towards active travel.”
EALING.NEWS spoke to Ealing Council about how many people were consulted and responded.
An Ealing Council spokesperson said: “786 households were consulted. The council wrote to each property and they were invited to attend a pop up event at the school, an online presentation and to give us their feedback through an online survey. Hard copies of the survey were available on request.”
They added: “41 residents and businesses in the area responded to the survey. 19 residents and 1 business within the school street; 40 residents and 1 business outside the school street.”
The school street will be operational on the full length of Kennedy Road. Vehicles will be restricted from entering Kennedy Road during term time from 8.15am and 9.15am Monday to Friday and 2.45pm and 3.45pm Monday to Thursday and between 2pm and 3pm on Friday. Those that do will recieve a Penalty Charge Notice of £130 which is reduced to £65 is paid within 21 days of getting the PCN.
The letter from Ealing Council further added: “Only vehicles registered at properties within the dedicated Pedestrian and Cycle zone will be able to access the School Street during operational times. Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) will be issued for vehicles that enter the area during the operational times with a valid School Street permit.
“Blue badge holders that work in the area or are transporting pupils to the school, and parents of a child with a blue badge and attends the school, can apply for a permit using the online application form.
“All other vehicles, including visitors, taxis, deliveries and tradesman are not exempt and will recieve a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) if they enter the closure during operational times. The closure is for a very short time, and all vehicles that do not have a permit need to access the area outside of the advertised times.”
