School Streets Could Be Up And Running By Christmas In Reading

READING BOROUGH COUNCIL has expanded on the timescale for its School Streets plan revealed last month.

The scheme, which allows closures of roads outside schools from traffic for up to 45 minutes, twice a day, during term time, could be in operation from December, with the full process taking approximately ten weeks to complete. This is part of a wider Reading Borough Council programme aimed at supporting children to travel to school in a healthier and more environmentally friendly way, which includes a new School Travel portal featuring an interactive map and a dedicated travel advice pdf for every school in the borough: https://www.reading.gov.uk/schooltravel. The School Streets initiative is now open for submissions. Schools can apply to create this safer, healthier and more pleasant environment at drop off and collection times which will also provide more space for parents and pupils to adhere to social distancing measures during the Covid-19 pandemic. Schools can download the application pack now, which will include details of how they should consult with residents before sending in their submission. This will be followed by a survey of the school, network management and creation of signage, with the set up and demonstration phase completing the process after a total of around ten weeks. Schools interested in taking part can download information and an application pack from www.reading.gov.uk/schoolstreets The project is funded through a successful recent bid to the Department for Transport (DfT) who awarded the Council £150,000 to support activities to encourage sustainable school trips and enable schools and colleges to re-open safely. The scheme gives children the chance to walk, cycle or scoot to school safely in the street of the school without danger from traffic, keep active and also help with social distancing during the current pandemic. Any vehicles already parked in the road can stay or leave throughout the duration of the School Street. Only eligible vehicles can gain access to the road during the School Street closure, which will be managed by the school when in operation. The Council will assist before the start of the scheme in developing the traffic management plan for the road closure and providing the appropriate signs and barriers.