School Safe Haven Zone - St George's Primary and Ridgeway Infant School’ schools update

Background

Derby City Council has been awarded £776,150 of funding from the Department for Transport to deliver additional active travel measures across the city. As part of this work a number of schools have been identified across the city to test different interventions including the introduction of school streets, locally known as School Safe Haven Zones. Across the country, ‘School Streets’ have been introduced to help promote cleaner air, reduce congestion, improve road safety and increase levels of activity.

‘School Streets’ are where a section of road outside a school is closed to motor vehicles for a set period at the start and end of the school day.

These have been well received and proved successful in helping to create a more pleasant environment for local communities and addressing the many safety concerns associated with high levels of car use near to school entrances.

Following discussions with Local Councillors, Neighbourhood Officers, school representatives, and in consultation with local residents and parents, a school safe haven zone was introduced on Monday 7^th March 2022. The zone was introduced on an experimental basis for a period of 18 months. The zone covered Uplands Avenue from its junction with Ridgeway Avenue to the end of the cul-de-sac, adjacent to the entrance to St Georges Primary School. The restriction was operational term time only, Monday to Friday from 08:15 to 09:00 in the morning and from 2:30 to 3:30 in the afternoon.

The Outcome:

With consideration of any comments and objections received during the six month public consultation period, and in consultation with Local Councillors, Neighbourhood Officers and school representatives , the decision was made to make the zone permanent. The zone was made permanent and became effective on 7^th September 2023.