Help Richard Alibon School pupils get to school safely

School Streets will be introduced during May 2022 at Richard Alibon Primary School to reduce traffic and improve road safety, the council has announced.

The School Streets will mean that parts of Alibon Road outside the school and towards Hunters Hall School, become pedestrian and cycle-only zones from 8am to 9.15am and 2.45pm to 4pm during term time.

The areas affected will be:

• Alibon Road, between the junctions of Sterry Road and Hunters Hall Road, and
• Alibon Road, between Croppath Road and Hunters Hall Road.

Please note that there will also be a School Street in front of Hunters Hall School on Alibon Road. You can travel north to south along Hunters Hall Road and Croppath Road without entering the School Street Zone.

The aim is to transform the busy, congested and polluted roads outside the school gate into safer, healthier and more pleasant environments, and to reduce the nuisance caused to local residents during the school run.

Residents and businesses within the school street zone, carers and blue badge holders who require access to the school street, as well as school staff, can apply for an exemption free of charge. The council is encouraging anyone who thinks they may be exempt to apply now.

The council is also working with children and parents to encourage walking, cycling and scooting to school. The council is asking for the support from parents and local residents so that everyone in the area can enjoy the benefits of quieter, safer roads.

Cameras and signs will be installed in May ready for full operation in June.

Who is exempt?

No vehicles will be allowed into the school street zone during operating hours unless they have an exemption. Emergency services vehicles are automatically exempt.

You can apply for an exemption only if:

• you are a resident living within the School Street zone, or if you run a business within the zone
• you are a blue badge holder who requires immediate and regular access to the school
• you are a carer of a resident living within the zone, or you are a carer of a disabled or SEN child attending the school who needs to be dropped outside the school entrance, or
• you are a member of school staff.

You can see how to apply for an exemption here.

Anyone who drives through the School Street zone without a permit may be liable to a penalty charge notice.

Councillors have agreed to proceed with the School Streets in your area.

At a meeting of the Cabinet on 16 November, the councillors decided to introduce the School Streets – which aim to reduce road danger for children travelling to and from school - for a 12 month trial period.

During term time only, number plate recognition cameras will be used to restrict unauthorised motor vehicles outside the school gates during the morning drop off and afternoon and pick up period.

The councillors noted that the consultation with parents and local residents was positive.

As a result of their decision we expect the School Street at Richard Alibon to be introduced by March 2022.

Please note that this date is approximate only and may be subject to change.

Until then you need do nothing. We will not enforce the School Streets until the implementation dates. You may see the number plate recognition cameras and signage being installed in advance, but we will be sure to give plenty of notice to everyone before we begin enforcement.

We will write to everyone with full details in advance and we will advise you when you can apply for an exemption.

Thank you again to all the staff, local residents and parents who gave us their feedback.

Update: 27/08/21

Thank you!

We would like to thank everyone who gave us feedback on our School Street proposals. In total we spoke to 294 people and many more completed our surveys online. The results were generally positive and later in the autumn we expect to move forward with the plans on an experimental basis.

Over the coming weeks we will be looking closely at your responses to see whether we need to make any changes. In particular, thanks to your feedback, we are considering whether other areas should be included. And, we are also considering your suggestions for exemptions.

We will write to everyone with full details in September.

Until then you need do nothing. The roads remain open as usual and there is no need to apply for exemptions yet.

However, please note that the council is issuing an experimental traffic management order which will come into force on Monday 6 September 2021. These are the legal documents that will allow the School Streets to go ahead later in the year. They are called ‘experimental’ because the School Streets will be introduced initially for 12 months and you can give your views on whether they should be made permanent.

You can see these orders on the Council’s website if you select ‘New and proposed traffic and parking schemes’ at https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/where-you-can-park

Remember, at this stage, you do not need to apply for an exemption and no penalty charges will be issued. We will write to you in advance to tell you when the School Streets will start to operate and you will see the sings go up beforehand.

Thank you again for your feedback. We will continue to provide updates throughout the implementation and trial period.