READING’S latest School Street – which sees traffic banned from entering a road during the morning school run – is expanding with a new afternoon session.
A partnership between the three local schools, Maiden Erlegh School in Reading, UTC Reading and Alfred Sutton Primary School, the Crescent Road School Street, between Wokingham Road and Bulmershe Road, is to start the additional session from Monday, November 7.
The initial scheme was between 8.15am and 9am term-times. The next session runs from 2.45pm to 3.30pm.
Speaking on behalf of Maiden Erlegh School, UTC Reading and Alfred Sutton Primary School, Maiden Erlegh School Business Manager, Julie Foster, said: “We are delighted to announce our School Street will now extend to afternoon sessions. The morning sessions have proved very popular and successful.
“We feel it has had a big impact on the safety of our students, parents and the local community. We would like to say a big thank you to all those who have volunteered from the local community and look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.
“We would still like to attract more volunteer marshals to help out with the scheme, so please do get in touch if you could spare time – even signing up for just one shift will make a difference.”
Reading Borough Council said its other School Streets are also working and are now permanent fixtures.
Cllr Tony Page, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said: “I’m pleased to see Crescent Road School Street’s continued success has meant it can now extend to cover afternoons.
“School Streets not only make travel to schools safer but also create a healthier and more pleasant local environment for everyone living in the vicinity.
“Our other School Streets are already showing a positive impact for children, schools and the local community. Our School Streets at Park Lane and Thameside are now permanent, and I hope we can encourage even more schools across Reading to come forward with their own proposals.
“I wish the Crescent Road School Street every success for the afternoons.”
The consultation period on the initial Crescent Road School Street scheme was undertaken earlier this year and showed there was 67% support for the scheme.
