Kingston Council has introduced a ‘school street’ for Castle Hill Primary to help make public spaces safer and aid social distancing as the phased reopening of primary schools gets underway.
The roads outside the school in Buckland Road, Chessington, will close to motor traffic during drop-off and pick-up times, creating a pedestrian and cycle only zone. In place until 22 July 2020, the street school will operate from 8.00-9.30am and 2.00-3.45pm. Blue badge holders and local residents will be exempt from the restrictions.
The additional space will enable social distancing while waiting, walking, cycling and scooting, as well as reducing road danger and improving air quality.
The scheme encourages active travel, helping keep the roads clear for those who have to drive at this time. For those parents who have no alternative but to drive some of the way, the council encourages them to park away from the school and “stride” the rest of the journey.
The council has been trialling a school street for Lovelace Primary School in Mansfield Road, Chessington, since October 2019 and has already seen positive improvements in the local neighbourhood, with an increase in sustainable travel to and from school, reduction of poor parking and improvement in air quality.