Peterborough schools invited to join safety scheme where roads could be temporarily closed

Schools in Peterborough are being invited to join a new initiative aimed at creating a safe space outside their gates which encourages pupils maintain social distancing.

Following government funding aimed at encouraging cycling and walking, Peterborough City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council have written to all schools inviting them to take part in the School Streets scheme.

By creating a school street, schools can temporarily close a road outside their entrance, enabling it to become a pedestrian and cycle/scoot zone during the school’s opening and closing times.

This - the councils hope - will also help social distancing and encourage active travel, with the added benefit of reducing congestion and pollution at the school gates and improving safety for children on their way to and from school.

Councillor Peter Hiller, Peterborough City Council’s cabinet member for strategic planning and commercial strategy and investments, said: “We are committed to developing healthy environments and this is a timely opportunity for schools to get involved in a really beneficial initiative. Creating safe areas outside schools has many positive effects for pupils, parents, teachers and school staff.”

Councillor Ian Bates, Cambridgeshire County Council’s highways and transport committee chairman, said: “Any school will be considered, but each site will need to be assessed around social distancing and traffic related risks. We look forward to hearing from interested schools and moving the scheme forward.

If adopted, the council will work to support School Streets street schemes under a temporary traffic regulation order for up to 18 months

Once a School Street is in place, cones and signs will be put across the road to prevent vehicle accessing the area during school drop-off and pick-up time periods. The closure will need to be put up and taken down on a daily basis and will not apply at weekends and during school holidays. Access will be maintained for emergency vehicles.

Schools will also need to put forward volunteers to help run the scheme and the council will provide full training and resources free of charge. The scheme will then be owned and operated by the school community, with support from the council.