Reading school street temporary closures made permanent
Three school streets which are designed to make things safer for parents and children walking to and from schools in Reading have been made permanent.
School streets involve closing residential roads used to access schools during dropping off and picking up time.
Three schools had school street schemes implemented at different points over the last two years – Wilson Primary School in West Reading, Park Lane Junior School in Tilehurst and Thameside School in Caversham.
Now the temporary closures have been made permanent following a vote by Reading Borough Council’s traffic management sub-committee.
The decision received widespread support from councillors.
Councillor Sarah Hacker (Labour, Battle) celebrated the scheme for Wilson Primary School, which see argued has created a greater sense of community among parents.
The scheme involves the closure of Wilson Road from 8.15am to 9.15am and 2.45pm to 3.45pm during term time.
Cllr Hacker said: “It really is heartwarming to see, on my way to work, the parents at the bottom of Wilson Road having a nice chat with each other.
“There’s a lovely welcome as you go to school as you see a little group of people is quite wonderful, and it has changed attitudes to how you get to school.
“I used to walk when I went to Wilson, and my children did as well, and it’s lovely to see this encouraging more people to be active on the way to get their blood and brain pumping. I’d love to see more across the town.”
Similarly, cllr James Moore (Liberal Democrats, Tilehurst) praised the scheme for Park Lane Junior School, which involves the closure of the lengths of Downing Road and Lambourne Close from 8.30am to 9.00am and
2.55pm to 3.35pm in term time.
It’s understood both roads will eventually become for pedestrians and cyclists only.
Cllr Moore said: “I think having active travel for schoolchildren and parents is a wonderful thing.”
However, he did raise concerns that pupils are being dropped off and picked up by car in Beechwood Avenue, a private road not far from the school.
Cllr Adele Barnet-Ward (Labour, Thames) supported the scheme for Thameside Primary School, which involves the closure of Harley Road from 8.15am to 9.15am and 2.40pm to 3.40pm during the school term.
She was previously concerned that the school street could cause problems in Wolsey Road, but those issues have not materialised.
Cllr Barnet-Ward said: “I hope that other schools across the town will have a look at what’s happening with these three schools, visit these school streets and see whether it could benefit them as well.”
Schools can apply on the council website.
The decision to make the three school streets permanent was approved unanimously on Wednesday, June 15.
There is also a school street in Crescent Road, East Reading, to serve pupils going to Maiden Erlegh School in Reading, UTC Reading and Alfred Sutton Primary School.