Newham Council are improving road safety and reducing pollution outside schools to protect children by introducing more Healthy School Streets schemes.
The timed, restricted vehicle access zones are now in operation outside a further six schools in the borough following a pilot scheme last year (2020).
A total of 11 schools are now benefiting from reduced congestion and cleaner air at drop off and pick up times.
Emergency services, black cabs and residents who live in the zones can drive on the streets at all times but general traffic is not allowed to enter the zones at the designated times and are automatically issued with a ticket through the use of enforcement cameras.
Sheringham Nursery and Primary, Park Primary, Hartley Primary and Brampton Primary are the latest schools to benefit, with a scheme outside Kay Rowe Nursery launching today (Monday).
The scheme at Sheringham Nursery has now been in place for three weeks, Head teacher Julian Grenier said: “I’m absolutely delighted by the success of our Healthy School Street on Sheringham Avenue.
“This morning, as I welcomed children into the nursery school, it was great to see so many on bikes and trikes as well as walking. The street feels calmer and safer now, which makes for a more positive start to the day.
“We know that pollution leads to children having breathing difficulties, developing asthma, and it can affect children’s learning and emotional development too.
“By keeping cars off our street at the beginning and end of the day, we are taking another positive step to ensure our children are healthier, happier and safer when they come to their nursery.”
Newham has the worst air quality in the country with seven out of every 100 deaths being linked to dirty air and some of the highest asthma rates amongst the under 18s.
Air quality monitoring of the first phase of Healthy School Streets shows a significant reduction in dangerous pollution, with a 32% drop in nitrogen dioxide in the morning and 16% drop in the afternoon at Chobham Academy.
The before and after results compare levels in October 2019 to October 2020, avoiding the reduction in traffic during the lockdown period.
The latest schemes have been introduced under Experimental Traffic Orders that can run from 6 to 18 months. During the first 6 months residents can formally comment on the scheme.
Views will be sought and gathered during this time to help inform the final shape of any possible future permanent scheme.
Deputy Cabinet lead for Environment Highways and Sustainable Transport, Councillor Nilufa Jahan said: “Newham Council is committed to creating the best possible street environments outside all schools across the borough.
“We want to make sure that children breathe cleaner air, are safe from cars near the school gates and choose to walk and cycle to school.
“The council receive a significant number of complaints about traffic congestion and dangerous driving near some schools, particularly during drop-off and pick-up times and we are looking forward to identifying the third group of schools to benefit from this scheme.
“We would like parents and teachers who think a scheme in their area would be a good idea to get in touch and let us know.”
The first pilot phase of Healthy School Streets schemes at Chobham Academy, Woodgrange Infants School, Godwin Junior School, West Ham CoE Primary School and Lathom Junior School have now been made permanent although following feedback during the consultation period some slight adjustments will be made to a number of schemes in line with comments received.
To get involved in Walk to school week, 2021, visit: www.livingstreets.org.uk
To see details of all the Healthy School Streets restricted access zones in the borough visit: www.newham.gov.uk/schools-education/healthy-school-streets or share your views on the consultation at HealthySchoolStreets@newham.gov.uk.