Children at two more primaries to benefit from School Streets scheme

Children and their parents will be able to enjoy safer and healthier journeys to and from the school gates next week when two more primaries join the borough’s growing network of vehicle-free School Streets.

Two more primary schools – Smallwood in Tooting and Riversdale in Southfields will benefit from the School Streets initiative when they come into effect on Monday, June 12.

They will bring the total number of School Streets in Wandsworth to the landmark figure of 25 – with many more schemes in the pipeline as part of a council commitment to introduce them at 50 per cent of all the borough’s primary schools by 2025.

The School Streets scheme prevents vehicles from using designated sections of carriageway in the immediate vicinity of schools during the start and end of the school day.

Jenny Yates, Wandsworth’s cabinet member for transport said: “School Streets are designed to create a much safer and healthier environment for children and parents on their journey to and from school.

“Putting measures in place to reduce dangers from vehicle traffic and improve air quality will ensure parents and children are more likely to walk or cycle to school. These are key priorities for the council.”

The Smallwood scheme means motor vehicles cannot travel along sections of Hazelhurst Road and Smallwood Road between 8.15am and 9.15am and from 2.45pm to 3.45pm Monday to Friday during term time.

And the Riversdale scheme will involve a widening of the pavement outside the school entrance in Pirbright Road to create a pedestrian only area near the junction with Replingham Road. Vehicle traffic will be maintained in both directions in Pirbright Road.

For more information about School Streets in Wandsworth please visit the council’s website, which includes a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section.