School Streets guidance

Contents

General information and guidance

What is a School Street and objectives

School Street process

Feasibility assessment for primary schools in Reading

Feasibility assessment for secondary schools in Reading

Guidance on consultation

Guidance for marshals

Guidance for vehicles

Frequently asked questions

School Street applications

Terms and conditions for applications

School Street application

Sample letter for affected properties

What is a School Street and objectives

An organised School Street closes the road outside the School from traffic for up to 45 minutes, twice a day, during School term time only. Any vehicles already parked in the road can stay or leave throughout the duration of the School Street. Only eligible vehicles can gain access to the road during the School Street closure (eligible vehicles are listed under the Guidance for Marshals and Vehicles sections).

School Streets give children the chance to walk, cycle or scoot to School safely in the street outside the School without danger from traffic. Closing streets outside Schools to traffic at drop-off and pick up times can help lower congestion, improve air quality, improve safety of streets as well as benefits to children’s/parents/carers mental and physical health. This initiative also helps support social distancing measures during the Covid-19 pandemic.

School Streets process

1. School contacts Transport Planning team to make aware of plans for School Street
2. School undertakes consultation with local community and any affected groups (3-week period)
3. Application form and consultation results submitted to Transport Planning team
4. Officer review of application and supporting evidence. Traffic Management Plan prepared. Recommendation made to Committee
5. Approval of application from Council’s Committee
6. Traffic Regulation Order sealed and School Street commences

Feasibility Assessment for Primary Schools in Reading

A high-level feasibility assessment has been undertaken to establish which Schools will be most appropriate for a School Street. Please note ALL Schools are eligible to apply for a School Street, a final decision will be taken by the Council’s Committee.

• High – meets all mandatory requirements for School Streets / benefits are high
• Medium – meets some mandatory requirements for school streets / benefits are medium
• Low – does not meet mandatory requirements / benefits are low

Primary School	School Street assessment	Road closure feasibility	Traffic impact feasibility	Community impact feasibility	Existing air quality issues	Existing road safety issues	Barriers to active travel	School clusters	Engagement with complementary initiatives	Overall assessment
Abbey Junior School	Vicarage Road	Medium	Low	Low	Medium	Medium	High	Low	Low	Low
Alfred Sutton Primary	Crescent Road	Medium	Low	High	Medium	High	Medium	High	High	Medium
All Saints Infant School	Brownlow Road	High	Medium	High	Medium	Medium	Medium	Low	Medium	Medium
Battle Primary Academy	Kensington Road	High	Medium	High	Medium	Medium	High	Low	Medium	Medium
Caversham Park Primary School	Queensway	High	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium	High	Medium	High	High
Caversham Primary School	Hemdean Road	Low	Low	Medium	Medium	High	Medium	Medium	Medium	Low
Christ the King	Lulworth Close	High	High	High	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium	High
Churchend Primary Academy	Usk Road	High	Medium	High	Medium	Medium	Low	Low	Medium	Medium
Civitas Academy	Great Knollys Street	High	Medium	High	Medium	Medium	Medium	Low	Low	Medium
Coley Primary School	Wolseley Street	High	Medium	High	High	Medium	High	Medium	High	High
Emmer Green Primary School	Grove Road	Medium	Low	Low	Medium	Medium	High	Low	Medium	Low
English Martyrs Primary School	Dee Road	Medium	Low	Low	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium	Low
EP Collier Primary School	Swansea Road	High	Medium	High	High	Medium	High	Low	Medium	High
Geoffrey Field Junior School	Exbourne Road	High	High	High	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium	High	High
Hemdean House Primary School	Hemdean Road	Low	Low	Medium	Medium	High	Low	Medium	Medium	Low
Katesgrove Primary School	Dorothy Street	High	Medium	High	Medium	Medium	High	Low	Low	Medium
Manor Primary School	Ashampstead Road	High	High	High	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium	Low	Medium
Meadow Park Academy	Pottery Road	High	High	High	Medium	Medium	High	Low	Medium	High
Micklands Primary School	Micklands Road	High	High	High	Medium	Medium	High	Low	Medium	High
Moorlands Primary School	Church End Lane	Low	Low	Medium	Medium	Medium	Low	Low	High	Low
New Christ Church Primary School	Milman Road	High	Medium	High	Medium	Medium	High	Low	Medium	Medium
New Town Primary School	School Terrace	High	High	High	Medium	Medium	High	Low	Medium	High
Oxford Road Community School	George Street	High	High	High	High	High	Medium	Low	Medium	High
Palmer Primary Academy	Northumberland Avenue	Low	Low	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium	Low
Park Lane Primary School (infants)	School Road	Low	Low	Low	Medium	Medium	Low	Low	High	Low
Park Lane Primary School (juniors)	Exbourne Road	Medium	High	Medium	Medium	Medium	High	Low	High	Medium
Ranikhet Academy	Eddlestone Way	High	Medium	High	High	Medium	Low	Low	Low	Medium
Redlands Primary School	Blenheim Gardens	High	High	High	Medium	Medium	High	Low	High	High
Southcote Primary School	Silchester Road	High	High	High	Medium	Medium	Medium	Low	High	High
St Anne’s Catholic Primary School	Washington Road	High	High	High	High	Medium	Low	Low	Medium	Medium
St John’s C of E Primary School	Orts Road	High	Medium	High	High	Medium	Medium	Low	Medium	Medium
St Martin’s Catholic Primary School	Pendennis Avenue	High	High	High	Medium	Medium	High	Medium	Medium	High
St Mary’s and All Saints Primary School	Wensley Road	Medium	Low	Low	Medium	Medium	Low	Low	Medium	Low
St Michael’s Primary School	Dee Road	Medium	Low	Low	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium	Low	Low
Thameside Primary School	Harley Road	High	High	High	High	Medium	Medium	Low	Medium	High
The Heights Primary School	Falkland Road	High	Medium	Medium	High	Medium	Low	Low	High	Medium
The Heights Primary School (new site)	Mapledurham Playing Fields access	Low	Low	Low	Low	Low	Medium	Low	High	Low
The Hill Primary School	Peppard Road	High	Medium	High	Medium	High	Medium	Low	Medium	Medium
The Ridgeway Primary School	Laburnham Gardens	High	Medium	High	Medium	Medium	High	Low	Medium	Medium
Whitley Park Primary School	Brixham Road	Medium	Low	Low	Medium	High	Medium	Low	Medium	Low
Wilson Primary School	Wilson Road	High	Medium	Medium	High	Medium	High	Low	High	High

Feasibility Assessment for Secondary Schools in Reading

A high-level feasibility assessment has been undertaken to establish which Schools will be most appropriate for a School Street. Please note ALL Schools are eligible to apply for a School Street, a final decision will be taken by the Council’s Committee.

• High – meets all mandatory requirements for School Streets / benefits are high
• Medium – meets some mandatory requirements for school streets / benefits are medium
• Low – does not meet mandatory requirements / benefits are low

Secondary School	School Street assessment	Road closure feasibility	Traffic impact feasibility	Community impact feasibility	Existing air quality issues	Existing road safety issues	Existing barriers to active travel	School clusters	Engagement with complementary initiatives	Overall assessment
UTC Reading	Crescent Road	Medium	Low	High	Medium	High	Medium	High	High	Medium
Maiden Erleigh School in Reading	Crescent Road	Medium	Low	High	Medium	High	Medium	High	High	Medium
Reading College	Kings Road	Low	Low	Low	Medium	High	Medium	Medium	Low	Low
Reading School	Erleigh Road/Craven Road	Low	Low	Low	Medium	High	Medium	Medium	Low	Low
Kendrick School	London Road	Low	Low	Low	Medium	Medium	High	Medium	Low	Low
John Madejski Academy	Northumberland Avenue /Hartland	Medium	Low	Low	Medium	Medium	Low	Medium	Low	Low
Reading Girls	Northumberland Avenue	Low	Low	Low	Medium	Medium	Medium	High	Low	Low
The Wren	Bath Road	Low	Low	Low	Medium	High	Low	Medium	Low	Low
Blessed Hugh Faringdon	Aldworth Close/Fawley Road	High	High	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium	Low	Medium
Prospect School	Cockney Hill	High	Medium	High	Medium	Medium	Low	Medium	Medium	Medium
Highdown School	Surley Row	High	Medium	High	Medium	Medium	High	Medium	Medium	High

Guidance on consultation

As part of the School Street application process Schools must consult with affected properties living on the street(s) that is proposed for closure. Residents/businesses located in close proximity to the proposed School Street area, that may be affected by the proposal, should also be made aware of the proposal and any responses received by the School should be submitted as part of the application. Here is a sample letter to send to affected properties.

Parents/carers of children attending the School should also be made aware of the proposal and any responses received by the School should be submitted as part of the application.

Methods of communicating with the local community may for example include posters, banners, leaflets and communications through social media platforms.

It is important that affected properties and the wider community have an opportunity to comment on the proposal. We recommend a three-week consultation period as part of the application process undertaken by the School to ensure everybody can have their say.

To support the proposal, Schools must identify potential park and stride sites within a 5/10 minute walking distance, and actively participate in the national sustainable travel initiative, Modeshift STARS. We recommend that Schools also consider other measures such as walking bus, cycle and scooter parking at the School and Bikeability – cycle training.

All consultation responses must be recorded on the ‘School Streets Consultation Responses Form’.

Online consultation pages can be set up by the Council on request.

Hard copy consultation materials (posters, leaflets and banners) are available from the Council where possible. Electronic posters and leaflets are available on the School Streets webpage.

Schools must continue to engage with affected properties throughout the School Street trial to ensure views and specific circumstances are considered before a permanent scheme is implemented.

Guidance for marshals

Marshals must set-up/set-down the closure point in line with the timings of the closure periods, as specified in the Traffic Regulation Order.

Signage and cones should be set up in accordance with plans/details provided by the Council.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn by Marshals at all times. Long sleeved Hi-Vis jackets will be provided by the Council. A whistle/hand signals may be used to gain attention if needed.

Each closure point must be staffed by at least 1 Marshal, at all times throughout the closure period.

Marshals should allow vehicles displaying notices/logos (arranged by the School) to enter the School Street without the need to stop vehicles.

Marshals are expected to stop any vehicle that wishes to enter the School Street, such as displaying a permit (provided by the School), inform them that they are entering a School Street and request they drive with caution.

Marshals must inform drivers that are not eligible to enter the School Street, that they are unable to enter at this time.

Marshals must allow vehicles to leave the School Street when required.

Marshals must have undergone training on road safety, conflict management and must fully understand the duties of the role.

Marshals should ensure the School Street is clear when vehicles enter the School Street.

Guidance for vehicles

Eligible vehicles include, residents living on the School Street, visitors to residents’ properties (including carers), business owners and customers, as well as Emergency Services, Blue Badge holders, taxis, statutory public services such as gas/electricity companies, refuse collectors, postal service providers, such as the Royal Mail, buses and school transport, breakdown and recovery vehicles, and any vehicle with special arrangements made by the School.

Vehicles that regularly require access to the School Street, such as residents, business, and regular customers should display permits/notices in their vehicle, if issued by the School.

Drivers must travel slowly with due care and attention at all times when within the School Street.

Drivers must adhere to the directions given by the School Street Marshal.

Vehicles that are required to travel through the extent of the School Street are not permitted, except Emergency Services.

Terms and Conditions for School Street Applications

1. Please make sure you give all information requested on the form. To prevent delays please enclose a copy of your resident consultation letter and a list of supporters/opposers with your application. Please note the application has to be made by the School – applicant(s) must sign the application form in the appropriate places.
2. We will provide support to Schools in developing School Street proposals, however in some circumstances it may not be feasible to implement a School Street in the desired location. Details of our initial assessment of the feasibility of implementing a School Streets scheme for each School are set out on pages 5 and 6, however we would welcome proposals from any School in Reading.
3. The School Street scheme will be operated and managed by the School but Reading Borough Council reserve the right to suspend any Order made under this application if the scheme is not properly managed. The following examples detail reasons where this may apply:
   1. Damage to the highway or street furniture or other loss/damage suffered by the Council and of any claims made against it as a result of failure to manage the School Streets scheme effectively.
   2. We strongly recommend that you ensure your Public Liability Insurance will cover the School Streets scheme for the duration of your road closure(s). Including the Marshals appointed manage the scheme.
   3. Any Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) or other statutory provision which is currently in force on the road(s) to be closed will remain in force for the entirety of its duration during the closure unless specified to the contrary on the Legal Order.
   4. No closure may be of more than 45 minutes twice a day and only on weekdays and term times. If Schools have staggered start/ finish times, the closure period should cover prior to the first start and after the last start time (covering the entire period without breaks).
   5. An Order is made entirely for the purposes of School Streets and may not involve the placement of any structure on the highway during its use without prior consent from the Highway Authority.
   6. No activity requiring any form of license (under the Licensing Act 2003) may be undertaken when this Order is in force.
   7. Vehicular access and egress for residents/businesses within the core School Street area must be maintained during any closure period.
   8. On-street parking cannot be refused or restricted other than through an existing Traffic Regulation Order. The road(s) may only be closed on the days and times specified within the Legal Order.
   9. School Street closures must only be supervised by appointed individual by the School for this purpose known as Marshal (an adult over the age of 18) they are required to undergo bespoke training to ensure they are fully aware of the role and responsibilities.
   10. Each closure point must be staffed by a Marshal at all times during the closure period.
   11. Any barriers erected during the closures must be removable if access for emergency services or eligible vehicles as detailed on page 9, require entry.
   12. The road(s) may only be closed on the days and times specified within the Order.
   13. Permit style schemes (arranged by the School) may be adopted to ensure vehicles who regularly require access to the School Street, such as residents, business, and regular customers are given permits/notices to display in their vehicle.
4. We reserve the right to suspend or amend any such Order if the closures are not implemented in accordance with these requirements or the activities are not managed in a safe manner.
5. Please note that approval to proceed with a School Streets scheme will need to be given by the Council’s Committee following an application from the School.