Vehicle restrictions are set to be reintroduced on the road leading to a village primary school during drop-off and pick-up times, after approval was given to trial a new traffic scheme.
Cambridgeshire County Council has been exploring the introduction of a “School Streets” scheme around The Green, between Histon and Impington Brook Primary School and the junction with High Street. The scheme would create a temporary pedestrian and cyclist zone at the start and end of the school day, with the aim of improving road safety and encouraging active travel.
Under the proposal, a temporary barrier will be placed across the road for short periods each morning and afternoon by a volunteer marshal stationed at the junction of The Green and High Street. Most parents and carers who drive will be required to park around a five-minute walk from the school.
Access will still be permitted for residents, blue badge holders, emergency services and other exempt vehicles, with the barriers moved as needed.
HI HUB has previously reported on the details of the proposed scheme, including how the restricted zone would operate and the planned public engagement exercise. Earlier this month, Histon and Impington Parish Council agreed the scheme should be trialled for 18 months after reviewing the public engagement results.
Volunteers needed
The next steps include installing signage, introducing a Traffic Regulation Order and recruiting volunteers. It is hoped the trial will begin in the spring. Anyone interested in volunteering as a marshal is encouraged to contact the school or the School Streets team at Cambridgeshire County Council.
Richard Bakker, head of Brook Primary School, said he was “extremely grateful” for the work that has gone into reaching “this key stage” of the process.
He said the School Street would be launched “modestly at first” to allow its effectiveness to be evaluated, initial challenges addressed and the volunteer team built up. “Clear communications will be shared with local residents and families in advance, detailing the timings and access arrangements,” he added.
Public engagement
Fifty-four responses about the proposed scheme were received during the public engagement exercise, with 89% in favour of its implementation. The County Council said there were “frequent comments about near misses and the unsuitability of the road for the number of pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles at the start and end of the school day”.
During four observation sessions, the busiest recorded 333 pedestrians walking to the school, 69 pupils travelling by scooter or bike and 24 arriving by car or motorbike.
The Council’s report noted that while some residents initially had questions about access, they were reassured that they would still be able to reach their properties.
Six responses opposed the proposals, all from residents of The Green, Lawsons Close and Pages Close. Concerns raised included access to homes and the behaviour of some parents if residents needed to use their vehicles during school hours.
One resident told HI HUB that the consultation had reassured them they would still be able to travel to and from their home, and that deliveries would be permitted during drop-off times.
To ensure the scheme “operates effectively”, the County Council said it would maintain ongoing communication with residents, provide clear guidance to parents, monitor the impact on nearby streets and ensure volunteers are properly trained.
Similar schemes have been attempted in the area over the years, though the most recent was criticised after being introduced without prior consultation.
Park Primary
Meanwhile, some residents who live near Park Primary School have written to the County Council’s leader raising their continued concerns about drop-off arrangements at peak times, describing them as “entirely inadequate”.
A council spokesperson confirmed the letter has been received and said Cllr Lucy Nethsingha will respond to the issues raised.
To find out more about the School Streets scheme for Brook Primary School, visit the Cambridgeshire County Council website. If you are interested in being a volunteer marshal for the Brook Primary’s traffic scheme, contact office@brookprimary.co.ukor School.Streets@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.
READ MORE: Traffic scheme trial considered for village school, School announces traffic scheme without prior consultation, Council concedes safety concerns at Park Primary School
I must disagree with Rachel that it is the pedestrians which are the problem. The length of road she is talking about is around 150m in length and doesn’t have a pavement. We have lived in the village for 30 years and our children attended the school what now seems half a lifetime ago. I think that road safety is only really assured during busy times if motorists treat the road as pedestriansed. My experince is that is impossible at those times for the sheer volume of people to arrive or leave without using most of the width of that shared use road. I have seen football crowds arrive and leave medium sized grounds all over the county and it is very much the case that the vast majority of drivers are patient and understand there are occasions, when there are crowds, that pedestrians have to have ‘right of way’. You often see very careful drivers moving at walking pace with a crowd if it is absolutely necessary. How long does it take to cover 150 metres at walking pace?
It would be helpful if the parents dropping off/collecting their children kept to the green or very edge of the road rather than treating it like a pedestrianised area, which it is not. I live on Pages Close and regularly get glared at during pick up and drop of times if I need to leave or return to
My house by car. Either that or they arrogantly stroll in the middle of the road and ignore me, refusing my right of way. The stats show that the problem is not the parents using cars to drop the kids, it’s the pedestrians who don’t respect highway safety or teach their children the importance of not walking out in front of cars.