Safer school streets for Tooting children

Tooting could see additional School Streets introduced as part of a new initiative.

School Streets sees the roads containing school entrances turned into traffic-free zones when pupils arrive in the morning and leave in the afternoons.

Two schools in Tooting are amongst those to be included alongside John Burns primary school in Battersea, Beatrix Potter in Earlsfield, Southmead in Putney, Ibstock Place and The Alton primary school in Roehampton.

Local residents and families at these schools have been invited to online workshops, where they can raise questions and make suggestions on the design of these schemes.

There are already 19 School Street schemes across the borough, supporting children at 20 schools.

The initiative is a part of the town hall's efforts to boost road safety as well as supporting walking and cycling, which should in turn improve air quality.

ANPR cameras, which recognise vehicle number plates, have been introduced to deter drivers from encroaching into School Streets when they are in operation.

In some other locations physical barriers are put in place to keep them traffic free zones.

Road signs indicate to drivers where a School Street is in place and any vehicles parked in a School Street before its hours of operation can leave without being penalised or impeded.

These schemes will not operate during the weekend or school holidays.

Whilst improving safety for children, these schemes are also a part of the council's Climate Change Action Plan as they encourage active travel.

Transport spokesman Cllr John Locker said: "We know that these schemes help make children's journeys to and from school safer, but it's important we listen to the views of parents, teachers, residents and businesses to make sure we get these measures right.

"Encouraging families to walk or cycle to school instead of travelling by car is a key aim, as it's better for both physical and mental health and also helps efforts to deliver better air quality too."

Schools and education spokesman Cllr Will Sweet added: "Keeping children and their parents safe on the journey to school is of paramount importance. These schemes help achieve that goal which is why I'm a big fan of these initiatives."

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