Temporary prohibition of through traffic – Borough Road

Please see amended notice regarding the Borough Road School Street Trial per the link below:-

We contacted Devon County Council for clarification regarding this, please see Cllr Andrew Saywell’s response below:-

“The original Notice has been amended to add the timings of the closures as per the TTRO’s for the other School Streets so that its clear it’s not all day and to add Matthew McDonald’s contact details as he is the DCC Officer for the scheme, so if anyone has any questions they can call him.

DCC spoke to the school today and Bluecoats will wait until the school fully reopens to all pupils before starting the School Street but at least the TTRO is in place ready for when they start.

The timing of the lockdown hasn’t helped and like all schools Bluecoats are busy with Covid remote learning arrangements so we DCC will now send the letter to the residents by Royal Mail on Bluecoats behalf, and they will let the parents know about the trial. DCC aim to have the letters posted tomorrow.

Matthew prepared some Q&A’s below which you may wish to use if publicising this any further.

What are School Streets?

A School Street is where a road outside a school temporarily closes to motor vehicles at specific times of day. This opens streets to families on foot, cycle or scooter at school drop off and pick up times.

Why School Streets?

School Streets help to give families the space they need to get to school safely. To improve road safety and to maintain social distancing that is needed to restrict the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

By making a safer, cleaner, more pleasant environment, School Streets also increases the likelihood that children will walk or cycle to school instead of by car.

Fewer car trips to and from school will help to improve air quality, encourage more exercise, reduce congestion at peak times and reduce road traffic collisions.

How will School Streets support physical distancing?

School Streets create safe space outside a school. Removing through traffic and parents’ cars creates space to allow for social distancing. This would prevent parents and children having to gather in confined spaces at the school gates.

This makes it easier for children and their families to travel by foot, cycle or scooter to school. A road free from vehicles could typically gain an extra seven metre wide space for pedestrians.

How will School Streets work?

Specific streets around the participating schools will temporarily become pedestrian and cycle only zones at set times in the morning and afternoon.

Motor vehicles will not be allowed to enter the section of street during the times of operation, except for in certain circumstances set out below.

The road will be closed using a combination of cones and expandable barriers placed across the road closure point. The street closure will be marshalled by school staff and  volunteers.

Why have we not been consulted about the School Streets?

These School Streets schemes are being implemented as emergency measures to enable social distancing and help families travel to school safely.

Depending on the type of Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) used, and because the UK government has relaxed TRO regulations as part of its Covid-19 response, local authorities are able to implement road closures quickly and flexibly.

This does not mean consultation will not take place. Children, parents, residents and local businesses will be able to have their say on how the scheme might develop, what might be changed and whether it becomes permanent.

As a parent/carer taking my child to school, can I drive into the School Street?

During the restricted times, you will not be allowed to enter the School Street in a vehicle, unless you have a valid access need. For example if you:

Are a Blue Badge holder (or your child is)

Have a permit to park issued by the school.

Are a resident of the School Street.

Work in a business premises on the School Street.

You will still be able to walk, cycle or scoot to school. If that’s not an option for you, you will be able to drive and park nearby and walk the final section. Some schools may have set up a Park and Stride scheme to make this even easier.

What about visitors to the school or residents on the street?

We are asking visitors to try and time their arrivals and departures outside of the closure times to make more space for physical distancing as children and their families arrive at or leave school.

During the restricted times, we will ask visitors to park further away unless they are blue badge holders.

However, if a visitor is already in the School Street area before the restriction start time, they can leave the street at any time.

Who will still be able to access the street?

The temporary access restrictions will not apply to:

– Residents who live on the street

– Blue Badge holders

– Emergency services

– Parents or carers with an exemption (provided by the school on a case by case basis)

– Doctors and care visitors to residents in the street

– Business owners with premises in the street

– Business, school staff, or others accessing on-premises parking

– Contracted school transport

– Businesses making deliveries

– Tradespeople doing work to a home on the street.

However, we ask any drivers permitted to enter the scheme to try to time their arrivals and departures outside of the closure times. This will reduce the number of vehicles on the street while families are arriving at or leaving school.

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I hope that is helpful. Lastly, please be assured that if the scheme does not work we can always stop it before the end of the TTRO”.

Cllr Andrew Saywell, [email protected]