School Streets pilot scheme aims at reducing traffic congestion.
School Streets is a pilot scheme currently underway at a Bilton school that aims to reduce congestion outside school and encourage active travel, like walking and cycling.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s road safety team, in partnership with the school and supported by Humberside Police, is carrying out further trials of the initiative called School Streets outside Bilton Community Primary School, in School Lane.
School Streets, which started at the school last month, is a pioneering approach to improving the environment outside schools whereby traffic is restricted at the start and the end of the school day – preventing the build-up of congestion.
Parents, carers and families are being encouraged to park well away from the school and then walk, cycle or scooter the remaining distance to reduce parking and pressures, discourage unnecessary car journeys, and improve the environment outside the school gates.
The introduction of School Streets is aimed at encouraging a move towards using more sustainable and active modes of travel, making it easier and safer for families and pupils to walk, cycle or scoot to school, as well as creating a more pleasant area outside the entrance.
The roads directly outside or leading to the school are covered by an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order, which will be enforced during drop-off and pick-up times in the mornings and afternoons.
Residents and any businesses on the affected streets have the opportunity to apply for an exemption permit which will allow access to the School Streets zone during the restricted times. In addition, there is also a list of exempted vehicles that may enter the zone during the restriction.
Parents and carers at the school were well informed before the start of the scheme, as well as residents and any businesses located along the restricted roads. The school is currently looking for volunteer marshals to help support the School Streets project. Volunteers are crucial to the scheme. They will be on hand to help motorists and pedestrians to understand the new restrictions, and explain what’s going on in a friendly, polite and positive way.
The school needs volunteers to cover up to one hour each morning and up to one hour in the afternoon, during term time. Flexible volunteering across a team of people is encouraged, so please get in touch even if you can only volunteer for one or two hours per week.
If you are over 18 years old, keen to make a difference within the local community and become a School Streets volunteer marshal, please contact the school.
This is a fantastic scheme which is making such a big difference to the school and its pupils, getting rid of traffic problems at the school gates, making the air cleaner and improving the overall environment outside.
Sara Atkinson, the headteacher of Bilton Community Primary School, said: “Pupils, staff, parents and the local community, are really positive about working in partnership with East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the Bilton Neighbourhood Policing Team.
“The impact from this scheme has already been positive. Feedback from the school and the local community has highlighted how the area around the school gates is quiet, calm and much safer for everyone.
“The school greatly appreciates the support of the local community, pupils and all their parents, in facilitating a safe zone around the school.
“This scheme has highlighted the strong community links of Bilton, and how they always put the safety of the child first outside our school.”
Councilllor Chris Matthews, the council’s portfolio holder for environment and climate change, said: “This is a fantastic scheme which is making such a big difference to the school and its pupils, getting rid of traffic problems at the school gates, making the air cleaner and improving the overall environment outside.
“I want to thank families, local residents and businesses for their support of this positive scheme.”
A spokesperson for Humberside Police said: “This partnership project with East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Bilton Community Primary School, Humberside Police and the Bilton community is one that will help to address safety concerns, create a calmer environment for the community where people can feel confident cycling and walking, and improve quality of life by reducing congestion around school gates.”