12
Resolved
That Cabinet:
i) notes the outcome of the review and impact of the12 School Street Schemes listed in Appendix 1 of the report, and associated consultations summarised at paragraphs 2.19 and 2.26 and in Appendix 3 and 4 of the report.
ii) agrees in principle to making 10 of the School Streets Schemes permanent subject to the changes to the Schemes summarised in recommendation 1.4 of the report namely:
-The LIP funded scheme at Perivale and
-9 Tranche One LSP School Streets schemes. (Appendix 1 of the report)
- The redesign of two further LSP School Streets Schemes (Appendix 1 of the report) with a view to reconsulting at a later date.
iii) agrees to the installation of ANPR cameras to replace barrier enforcement at the 9 LSP schemes, which brings all schemes under one enforcement regime.
iv) agrees to amend the School Streets Schemes to remove the exemption for school staff and to make amendments with regard to the exemption relating to blue badge holders as summarised in paragraph 3.13 of the report.
v) delegates authority to the Director of Place Delivery to take the necessary steps to implement the 10 School Streets Schemes permanently (subject to the outcome of statutory consultation)
Reason for Decision and Options Considered
Full Council passed a motion, on 2nd April 2019, that resolved: To implement pilot School Streets with a view to implementing School Streets or No-Idling Zones around every suitable primary school in the borough by 2022.
The London Mayor has made it an over-reaching policy that all local Councils must help children and parents to use cars less and to walk, cycle and use public transport more. This requires that a healthier and safer environment is established at school entrances.
To support the Mayor’s Transport Strategy, Transport for London (TfL) have adopted the ‘Healthy Streets’ Approach, to create streets that are pleasant, safe and attractive. This would help to improve air quality, reduce congestion and help make London's diverse communities greener, healthier and more attractive places to live, work, play and do business.
The School Streets Schemes helped to meet the three core objectives of the Council’s Transport Strategy:
• Mode shift – increasing active travel
• Reducing the environmental footprint of transport and improve air quality
• Improving road safety – reduce road safety incidents
Monitoring and Evaluating the Schemes
On average, 84% of Ealing’s primary pupils lived less than 1 mile from school (max 30 minute walk or 12 minute cycle). This included 62% living within half mile (15 minute walk). The proportion of car journeys, totalling 23%, was higher than the number of pupils living over 1 mile from school, suggesting that a number of these car journeys are short and therefore walkable or cyclable.
Monitoring the LIP funded Perivale Scheme
At Perivale Primary 69% lived within 1/5 mile and 25% between 1/5 and 1 mile. At St John Fisher Catholic this was 55% and 25% respectively.
Residents were offered a number of opportunities to be involved in development of the Perivale scheme.
- 11/11/2019 - A survey was hand delivered to all residents in the school streets zone on.
- 25/11/2019 – A drop-in session was organised at Perivale Primary School and residents were invited to attend.
- 16/1/2020 - A co-design workshop was organised at St Nicholas Church.Leaflets were hand delivered to every household in the zone and posters were displayed on lampposts through the area.
- August 2020 – Information, in the form of a letter and printed FAQs, was sent to all residents within the School Street closure area, and businesses in Wadsworth Road, with details of how to apply for permits.
- May 2021 – A letter was posted to all residents and businesses within and around the school street area, inviting them to participate in the consultation survey.
Both schools were engaged in development of the scheme through a number of activities, including surveys and workshops. Resources were provided to support them in raising awareness of the scheme throughout development and implementation.
The scheme had been regularly monitored since implementation. An independent review had been undertaken and an overview of the level of support for each scheme was included as Appendix 2 of the report.
Active travel had increased at both schools. Traffic volumes had decreased in the area. A correlation was evident between a reduction in cars seen and increases in those cycling or walking to school. However, consultees gave a mixed response regarding road safety, with a similar proportion agreeing it had improved to those who disagreed. Officers would work with the schools to ensure road safety education continued to be incorporated into the curriculum.
The number of Penalty Charges Notices issued had decreased over time, indicating the scheme was moving towards compliance. Officers were aware that residents raised concerns regarding parents blocking driveways. However, a review of parking in the area confirmed that the use of unrestricted parking in the area was above capacity generally and this issue was also seen outside of term time, indicating that it wasn’t only due to the School Street Scheme. Officers would consider how to address these concerns.
The full evaluation report, which included details of the consultation responses received, was included as Appendix 3 of the report.
Monitoring the London Streetspace Schemes
13 schools, with an existing level of engagement in promotion of active travel (STARS accreditation), were selected in June 2020 because they had the most potential to participate and deliver a successful School Street, in a very short timeframe. Schools with high number of pupils on roll were then invited to participate, to assist in delivering a scheme that would support them with additional social distancing measures. The Headteacher and Chair of Governors of each school signed an MOU to demonstrate their commitment to delivery of the scheme and continued promotion of active travel and road safety. As mentioned in 2.12, of the report, 2 schemes did not progress.
All schools were engaged in development of their scheme. Resources were provided to support them in raising awareness of the scheme to their school community throughout development and implementation.
In August 2020 a letter with information about the scheme was posted to every property within the school street closure. All residents were issued with a hard copy permit and invited to apply for additional permits if they were required
Members were advised of the schemes in their Ward and copies of the letters provided for their information.
The schemes had been regularly monitored since implementation. An independent review had been undertaken and an overview of the level of support for each scheme, with information on the reasons given for not supporting specific schemes, is included as Appendix 2 of the report.
Overall active travel to school had increased on each of the schemes, with more pupils and staff walking and cycling since the schemes were implemented. Parents/carers tended to agree that road safety in surrounding relevant areas had improved. All stakeholders agreed there were issues relating to parking and congestion prior to implementation of each scheme. Some residents were now concerned about displaced parking and some schemes required additional measures to address the issues.
Schools and other stakeholders were concerned about the use of barriers, managed by volunteers, as a means of enforcement. They felt this was inappropriate and highlighted the inconsistent approach, due to lack of support on some occasions, and timing of the placement of barriers for some schemes as issues that needed to be resolved. These issues could be addressed by the use of ANPR enforcement and this was recommended .
The full evaluation report is included as Appendix 4 of the report.