Hackney Council is gathering views on a proposed School Street scheme to improve local air quality and make it safer and easier for children to walk and cycle to school. Albion Drive would become a timed pedestrian and cycles only zone at school opening times and closing times whilst maintaining access for residents, pedestrians and cyclists. The purpose is to tackle congestion at the school gates and improve the environment for sustainable travel to school. Residents who live on the street will be able to register for an exemption so they can still get to and from their homes by vehicle.
The Council is committed to making Hackney’s roads safer and healthier for everyone living in, working in and visiting the borough. These changes aim to create an environment that will encourage more walking and cycling, improve air quality and reduce road danger. This can only be achieved by reducing the dominance of the private vehicle. Poor air quality resulting from vehicle emissions is finally being recognised for the damage it inflicts upon the health of the city with nearly 10,000 Londoners dying early every year as a result (King’s College London, 2015). Our Transport Strategy includes a number of actions that this scheme will help to achieve:
The Council has introduced School Streets at nine schools in the borough.
Results from five pilot schemes show a reduction in traffic in the School Streets, more parents and children walking and cycling to school and fewer driving. Based on the generally good results and positive feedback we have seen, we are rolling out the scheme to more schools. The Mayor of Hackney has committed to delivering 17 School Streets by 2022.
Queensbridge Primary School has been selected as a potential recipient of a School Street. Reducing the use of the private car for journeys to school and reducing the volume of traffic on Albion Drive should:
How will it work?
Albion Drive, from the junction with Queensbridge Road to the junction with Albion Square, will be made a pedestrian and cycles only zone for 45 minutes, twice a day at school opening and closing times.
For details of the proposal please refer to the drawing below.
Have your say
Your views are important to us and will help the Council to make a decision.
A questionnaire can be accessed using the link below to give your views on the outlined proposals.
What happens next
Your feedback will help us reach a decision on whether to proceed with these proposals. The results will be available at www.hackney.gov.uk/school-streets
Should the Council agree to proceed with these proposals, residents and businesses will receive a letter to inform them about the start date for the scheme with details of how to register a vehicle or vehicles for exemption. Public notices advising the changes will be displayed in the street.
FAQ
Q. What times would the restrictions be in force?
A. 8:30am – 9:15am and 3:00pm - 3:45pm during school terms. They won’t be in force during school holidays or on weekends.
Q. I’m a parent/carer at the school, can I apply for an exemption?
A. Parents or carers dropping children at school will not be eligible for an exemption. You can only be granted an exemption if you or your child are a blue badge holder.
Q. Which vehicles will not be allowed to enter the street?
A. All vehicles that have not been added to the exemptions list will not be permitted to enter the street during the School Street times. This includes vehicles driven by visitors, tradespeople or couriers and car club vehicles.
Q. What if I’m already parked inside the School Street zone when the timings are in force?
A. All vehicles that are already in the zone when the timings are in force will be able to exit the zone.
Q. How will the School Street be enforced?
A. Signage at the entrance to Albion Drive inform drivers of the restrictions. The zone will be enforced by camera and non-registered vehicles entering the zone during operating hours will be automatically issued a fixed penalty charge notice.
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