A HEADTEACHER says she is “thrilled” that the road outside her school has been closed to motor traffic to improve child safety.
Oakdale Junior School in Poole has become the sixth school in Bournemouth and Poole to trial the School Streets initiative, where roads directly outside schools are closed to traffic at drop-off and pick-up times.
As reported, vehicles will be banned in School Lane along its entire length from the junction with Palmer Road between 8.20am to 9am and 2.45pm and 3.30pm Monday to Friday.
Mrs Eileen Bissell, headteacher at Oakdale Junior School, said: “I’m thrilled that we are able to trial a School Street here. Congestion has long been an issue, and I hope this will encourage more children and their families to travel actively to school.”
School Streets aims to create safer and healthier environments for young people to walk, wheel and cycle to the school gates as well as reducing congestion.
Pilot schemes have already been introduced at St Michael’s CE Primary School in Bournemouth, St Clement’s & St John’s CE Infant School in Boscombe, Pokesdown Community Primary School, Hamworthy Park Junior School and Livingstone Road Infant and Junior Schools in Parkstone.
Richard Pincroft, transportation head at BCP Council, added: “We have had fantastic feedback from the other schools running School Streets, so it’s great we have been able to extend this to Oakdale Junior School.
“This initiative has had a really positive impact in terms of how safe parents and children feel at drop-off and pick-up times. Not only are people encouraged to leave their cars at home and walk, cycle or wheel to school instead, but less traffic means improved air quality outside schools, helping us to work towards our climate and ecological emergency goals.”
The trial at Oakdale Junior School started on Monday, April 24, and will run at least until the end of the summer term, during which a formal consultation will take place. After this point, a decision will be made to either finish the trial, extend it, or make the scheme permanent.
Those affected by the closure can visit haveyoursay.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/hub-page/school-streets to have their say.
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