Nine more School Streets in Southampton are now permanent

Thirteen schools in the city now have a permanent, part-time road closure outside the school

We are delighted to announce that nine more schools in the Southampton School Streets programme have had their schemes made permanent. This brings to thirteen the number of schools in the city with a permanent, part-time road closure outside the school, creating a safer, healthier and more enjoyable journey to school for children and their families.

School Streets are where the road outside a school temporarily becomes a pedestrian and cycle zone during drop-off and pick-up times. It is a tried and tested way of creating a safe space, by removing through traffic and stopping cars on the school run from parking outside the school gates. This allows families to travel safely to school on foot, by bike or by scooter.

The schools which now have a permanent School Street in place are:

• Shirley Junior School - Bellemoor Road – (started September 2020)
• Shirley Infant School - Wilton Road – (started November 2020)
• Mansbridge Primary - Octavia Road – (started November 2020)
• Freemantle CE Community Academy – Mansion Road – (started November 2020)
• Wordsworth Primary - Victor Street – (started December 2020)
• Regents Park Community College - Richville Rd – (started December 2020)
• Valentine Primary - Valentine Avenue – (started March 2021)
• Shirley Warren Primary - Warren Crescent – (started April 2021)
• Mansel Park Primary - Porlock Road – (started September 2021)

These schools join St Mary’s, St Mark’s CE, St John’s and Cantell who already have a permanent School Street in operation.

Recognising the commitment of schools who have successfully trialled a School Street, Councillor Eamonn Keogh, Cabinet Member Transport & District Regeneration said:

“I would like to thank all the schools who have participated in the School Streets trials so far, their staff and other volunteers who regularly manage the road closure barriers. It is thanks to their dedication to creating a safe place for children and their families outside the school gates that these schemes have been as successful as they have. ”

The standard School Street closure times are 8am to 9.30am and 2.15pm to 3.45pm, although times may vary. School Streets are legal road closure orders that prohibit through traffic and parental traffic, so even when barriers are not in place the road is still closed. If you are unsure of the signage, please see the example in the image attached.

The co-operation of residents living within a School Street area, who are required to drive through at walking pace when the road closure is in operation, is also appreciated.

It is hoped that CCTV enforcement will support the success of School Streets at some locations later this year.