Reading School Streets
Transport

Crescent Road School Street set to launch after February half term

  • East Reading’s first school street set to launch from Monday 28 February
  • Initially launching during the mornings
  • More volunteer school street marshals still needed

CRESCENT Road’s eagerly anticipated School Street is set to go live on the morning of 28 February with pupils, parents and staff at Maiden Erlegh School in Reading, UTC Reading and Alfred Sutton Primary School, and local residents, all set to benefit.

Working in partnership with all three local schools and local residents living in the vicinity of Crescent Road, between Wokingham Road and Bulmershe Road, it is set to be Reading’s fourth School Street.

Originally due to open in late 2021, the three local schools took the decision to postpone the launch 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. The Crescent Road School Street will initially launch only in the mornings, with the street open as usual in the afternoons.

Speaking on behalf of Maiden Erlegh School, UTC Reading and Alfred Sutton Primary School, Maiden Erlegh School Business Manager, Julie Foster, said: 

“We are delighted to announce our School Street will launch after the February half term, initially during the mornings. 

“We 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.

“We would still like to attract more volunteer marshals to help out with the scheme, so please do get in touch if you could spare time – even signing up for just one shift will make a difference.”

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. The School Streets operate during term time only. The Crescent Road School Street once started will operate between 8.15 to 9 am Monday to Friday, potentially extending to afternoons between 2.45 to 3.30 pm.

To find out more about the marshal role or to register your interest to volunteer, please email meroffice@maidenerleghtrust.org

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

“I’m pleased we will soon see our fourth School Street (and first for east Reading) come into operation. 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 three other School Streets are already showing a positive impact for children, schools and the local community. Our first School Street at Park Lane, for example, is already showing some great results – with more children walking to school than before the School Street was introduced. I hope we can encourage even more schools across Reading to come forward with their own proposals.

“I wish the Crescent Road School Street every success and hope it can soon extend to cover the afternoons as well as mornings. It is also important to note that once operational, the local community will have another 6-month window during which to comment before any decision is taken to make it permanent.”

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

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

Contact the schools to register interest:

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/ReadingSchoolStreets 

Watch our video interview with Justine, talking about the benefits of being a school street marshal:

And our interview with staff and pupils at Park Lane Primary on the success of their School Street:

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