Crescent Road School Street postponed as schools call for more volunteers

THREE schools in east Reading are appealing for volunteers to come forward to support the Crescent Road School Street, after its planned introduction was postponed due to a lack of volunteer marshals.

Working in partnership, Maiden Erlegh School, UTC Reading and Alfred Sutton Primary School, alongside local residents living in the vicinity of Crescent Road between Wokingham Road and Bulmershe Road, are set to benefit from the creation of Reading’s fourth School Street.

The Crescent Road School Street was originally due to begin in November, after the half-term break. The three schools have taken the decision to postpone the opening to give them more time to enlist volunteers to become School Street marshals.

The running of school streets in the borough is both led and organised by schools themselves, with support and guidance provided by the Council.

Speaking on behalf of Maiden Erlegh School, UTC Reading and Alfred Sutton Primary School, Maiden Erlegh School Business Manager, Julie Foster, said:  “We have made the decision to postpone the start of the School Street scheme to the new year to enable us further time to secure more volunteer marshals. 

“We are still excited to start and feel that it will have a big impact on the safety of our students, parents and the local community.  We would like to say a big thank you to all those who have volunteered from the local community and look forward to working with them in the future.”

No experience is necessary to be a marshal and full training will be provided. Marshals can sign up for as many shifts as they want – even signing up for just one shift will make a difference. The School Streets operate during term time only. The Crescent Road School Street once started will operate between 8.15 to 9.00 am and 2.45 to 3.30 pm, Monday to Friday.

Here is Justine, a School Street Marshal at Thameside Primary School, talking about the many benefits she gets from volunteering at her daughter’s school:

Tony Page, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport, said: 

“It is unfortunate that the start of the Crescent Road school street has had to be postponed, pending more volunteers coming forward to enable it to operate. Schools Streets are led and operated by schools themselves and we have seen them work very well in other parts of the borough.

“School Streets not only make travel to schools safer, but also create a healthier and more pleasant local environment for everyone living in the vicinity. Our first School Street at Park Lane is already showing some great results – with 32% more children walking to school than before the School Street was introduced.

“I know the school community and many residents are keen for the first east Reading School Street to get underway. We understand the schools’ regrettable decision to postpone the opening until the new year. We will support them as much as we can to encourage volunteer marshals to come forward.”

The following schools are also looking for more marshals to help support School Streets in Reading.

• Park Lane Junior School: 8.30 to 9am and 2.55 to 3.35pm, Monday to Friday
• Wilson Primary: 8.20 to 9.05am and 2.35 to 3.20pm, Monday to Friday
• Thameside Primary: 8.30 to 9.15am and 2.50 to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday

Contact the schools to register interest:

• Park Lane Junior School – juniorhead@parklane.reading.sch.uk
• Wilson Primary School – assistantheadgc@wilson.reading.sch.uk
• Thameside Primary School – sbm@thameside.reading.sch.uk
• Crescent Road School Street – meroffice@maidenerleghtrust.org

School Streets create a safer and healthier environment for everyone, including local residents. The initiative is part of the Council’s wider ambitions for encouraging more active travel, such as cycling and walking, and as a result support better physical and mental health, lower carbon generation and improved air quality.

Further applications are very welcome and information on Reading’s School Streets can be found on the Council’s dedicated School Streets webpage: www.reading.gov.uk/schoolstreets

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