Help Valence Primary School children to get to school safely

Valence Primary School has issues with congestion at pick up and drop off times, particularly due to its close proximity to St Joseph's Catholic Primary School.

To reduce danger to the pupils and relieve congestion outside the school gates, we are proposing that St George's Road, between the junctions of Beverley Road and Westfield Road, becomes a School Street at pick up and drop-off times.

This will create a pedestrian and cycle-only area in front of the school gate between the hours of 8am - 9:15am, and 2.45pm - 4pm during term time. This will alleviate congestion and parking problems for residents and create a safer environment for children and parents to travel to school.

Emergency vehicles will be exempt. 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. Residents’ parking will be unaffected.

Tell us what you think


Valence Primary School has issues with congestion at pick up and drop off times, particularly due to its close proximity to St Joseph's Catholic Primary School.

To reduce danger to the pupils and relieve congestion outside the school gates, we are proposing that St George's Road, between the junctions of Beverley Road and Westfield Road, becomes a School Street at pick up and drop-off times.

This will create a pedestrian and cycle-only area in front of the school gate between the hours of 8am - 9:15am, and 2.45pm - 4pm during term time. This will alleviate congestion and parking problems for residents and create a safer environment for children and parents to travel to school.

Emergency vehicles will be exempt. 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. Residents’ parking will be unaffected.

Tell us what you think


CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

Send us your questions, and we'll do our best to get back to you as soon as possible.

  • What if a resident has deliveries and or building work during these times? Is this really about the children or is it about generating cash for the council?

    D Francis asked almost 3 years ago

    Hello, and thank you for your question. 

    For this scheme to work best, we ask that delivery drivers do not drive down the street between the designated school street hours – as we can’t guarantee they won’t be fined. Delivery drivers in London are now very used to navigating pedestrian and cycle-only zones, and they can still deliver small packages if they park round the corner and walk down the street. 

    For building work and other essential services, we again would encourage workers to arrive at/leave the property down the School Street before or after the exemption times. They will not be fined for being parked down the street if they are already there, but rather would be fined if they drove down the street during the 1.15hr time slots (i.e. between 8am – 9.15am and 2.45pm – 4pm).

    It will be possible to apply for a temporary exemption if there is a genuine need, but this will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  Experience from elsewhere has shown that the more exemptions are granted, the less effective and safe School Streets become.

    Kind regards,

    The School Streets, Safe Streets Team

  • The problems are caused by the same small minority of inconsiderate parents. These parents will just be pushed to park further down the road or on the other gate entrance at Halbutt Street and adjoining roads. How do you propose to stop this happening? Whilst I appreciate you are trying to make a small section of the road safer are you not just moving the problem further along?

    Lindsay Harris asked almost 3 years ago

    Hello, and thank you for your question. 

    Thank you for raising this with us. While we appreciate that while there may be some displacement of traffic in the short term, we have seen with other School Streets that vehicles are disbursed over a wider area, and so have less of an impact on local streets than they would have done when all concentrated onto one or two streets outside the school gates. We have also seen evidence that vehicle numbers lessen over time as parents are encouraged to use more sustainable travel modes. 

    We are working hard with the school to ensure that as many children walk, cycle and scoot to school as possible. Recent evidence has shown that, combined with behaviour change and active travel initiatives, school streets increase walking and cycling levels – reducing traffic levels in the surrounding area, and not simply displacing it.

    Nevertheless, the Council will carry out an impact assessment to see what the likely effect on surrounding streets will be, should the scheme be introduced, and the situation will be monitored carefully. 

    Kind regards,

    The School Streets, Safer Streets Team

  • How will the timings affect staff who do not arrive at the school car park unti l8:30 am and who wish to leave at 3:30 pm?

    Amanda asked almost 3 years ago

    Hello, and thank you for your question. 

    School staff will be eligible to apply for an exemption free of charge (where the entrance to their car park is within the closure area), to allow them access to the school at any time of the day.

    When we move to the next stage of consultation, we will put a link on our website and in letters that we'll distribute to school staff (and any other groups who will be exempt) which will allow you to apply for an exemption quickly, and free of charge.

    Kind regards, 

    The School Streets, Safer Streets Team

  • How do I get an exemption for a blue badge holder as me and my 2 children are disabled with badges thank you

    Toni sherriff-geary asked almost 3 years ago

    Hello, and thank you for your question. 

    Currently, we are asking people who will be eligible for an exemption like yourself not to apply for a permit yet, as the scheme is not yet finalised.

    After we have done initial engagement with residents and move on to the next stage of consultation, we will put a link on the website and in leaflets that we’ll distribute, that will allow you to apply for an exemption quickly and free of charge. We will ensure everyone is notified of this.

    Kind regards,

    The School Streets, Safer Streets Team

  • Valence primary has a entrance in Halbutt street will this also be included as it’s not on the map and this will move all the traffic to one entrance instead of two surely both entrances need this if it’s being implemented

    Jean asked almost 3 years ago

    Hello, and thank you for your question. For the time being, we are simply looking to introduce the School Street in St George’s Road, because Halbutt Street is such an important through-road for the area and there’s so much traffic. But we will keep this under review and welcome your feedback about this. 

    To tell us your views and suggestions about the proposal, please respond to our survey (link on the webpage), plot on our interactive map, or send us something through the 'ideas' tab. We will use your feedback to inform this consultation.

    Kind regards,

    The School Streets, Safer Streets Team

  • Hi is this going to happen at valence primary school at St George's has its a very good idea. Has I live right on top on the gate and can never get of my drive with out getting abused so please make this happy .

    Nichola asked almost 3 years ago

    Hello, and thank you for your question. 

    Yes, a School Street is being proposed for part of St George's Road, between Beverly Road and Westfield Road, which covers one of the entrances for Valence Primary. If the proposal goes ahead, it will make this stretch of the road a pedestrian and cycle-only zone - stopping non-residents' cars from entering the street (apart from those who are exempt such as school staff and parents or children who are blue badge holders).

Page last updated: 26 Jun 2023, 02:22 PM