Green light to extend car ban at primary
Trial car ban at school to be made permanent
An innovative trial that ended the school rat run is to be made permanent.
The ‘School Street’ scheme, which has been used in cities like Edinburgh and London, could be rolled out across 15 primary schools over the next few years.
Two schools ran trials which saw vehicles banned from designated roads, or ‘School Streets,’ around Catrine Primary and St Sophia’s Primary School, Galston, at the beginning and end of the school day.
These periods normally see a massive increase in traffic ‘conflict’ with parents dropping off and picking up their children.
The restrictions, which the council admitted could be ‘contentious’, are tailored to individual schools’ start and finish times.
Despite the potential for problems, the results, particularly at Catrine, were supportive.
Key to the project is the School Street permit scheme, which provides residents with permits, blue badge holders, school transport, deliveries, refuse vehicles, emergency services, carers with access.
Residents were asked for their opinions, with 84 per cent of those around Catrine Primary supporting continuation of the restrictions.
While the majority of residents (60 per cent) around St Sophia’s Primary were supportive, there were more misgivings there than Catrine.
One concern was that vehicles would be driven faster, and present a greater risk to children, if the roads were clearer.
However, monitoring of speeds during the trials showed that not only did the restrictions bring the use of the road to normal levels, there was no increase in speeds.
Road use during the start and end of the day was reduced by 78 per cent at Catrine and 61 percent at St Sophia’s from the levels before the restrictions were introduced.
Another issue raised about parents parking around the ‘gateway’ to the School Street will see a waiting time restriction brought in around those areas.
The ‘gateway’ to the School Streets were marked with
red surfacing and planters, painted in school colours and maintained by the schools.
East Ayrshire Council’s cabinet agreed to approve a permanent scheme for Catrine Primary.
A report to the cabinet said: “This will enable amendments to be made, such as issuing more visible permits, enhancing the gateway features, promoting a park and stride scheme and working
with the school to promote links between the restrictions and the benefits that walking and cycling bring for children’s health, wellbeing and learning.
“The two trials have been well received at both locations, particularly from local residents, but also from parents who recognise the benefits associated with reducing vehicle flows in these areas.”
Should the council agree to roll out the scheme to the
other 15 schools identified as suitable, the funding would mean two new School Street schemes being set up each year.
The financial support of £550,000 came from the Scottish Government, via the transport body Sustrans, via the ‘Spaces for People’ fund set up as a response to the pandemic and to support active travel while following covid restrictions.
The trials have been well received at both locations, particularly from local residents.”