Five school streets in Oxfordshire have officially been made permanent, as part of a continuing effort to improve road safety during school drop-off and pick-up times. These temporary traffic restrictions, designed to reduce congestion and protect children around schools, have been positively received by many parents and local communities. However, the changes have sparked some debate over the impact on local traffic and the challenges it may pose for families.
The scheme, which introduces road closures around schools during peak times, uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to enforce restrictions. The move aims to reduce dangerous driving in narrow residential streets, improve air quality, and encourage safer walking and cycling for children. But while many see the benefits, concerns about displaced traffic and the added pressure on parents remain.
The school streets program was trialed across five schools, with the following locations now being made permanent:
These school streets will remain closed to motor vehicles during drop-off and pick-up times, typically from 8:30 am to 9:15 am, and from 3:00 pm to 3:45 pm. The restrictions aim to create a safer, quieter environment for children as they arrive and leave school. In a meeting, the scheme was praised as "transformative" by local officials, particularly in areas where narrow roads previously posed safety risks.
One of the primary motivations behind the school streets initiative is the safety of children. Narrow streets around schools often lead to dangerous driving behaviors, such as illegal parking or speeding, putting children at significant risk. The scheme aims to reduce these behaviors by closing the roads to vehicles during peak times.
Local councillors have highlighted the positive changes already seen in some of Oxfordshire's school streets, with reports of reduced traffic congestion, fewer dangerous maneuvers, and a general improvement in pedestrian safety. At New Hinksey Primary School, for example, it was noted that even though the number of cars was not large, the narrowness of the roads made their impact profound. Dangerous parking and turning often put children's safety at risk. The new restrictions have greatly alleviated these concerns.
While the benefits to road safety and air quality are clear, some residents have voiced concerns about the displacement of traffic caused by the closures. As cars are diverted to surrounding streets, issues such as illegal parking and congestion have been observed in neighboring areas.
To address these concerns, the local council has stated that it is actively reviewing the layout of each school street to identify the most suitable approach to manage traffic and parking displacement. Although some disruptions are inevitable, council officers are working to find a balance between maintaining safety and minimizing inconvenience for residents.
To ensure that the scheme does not overly disrupt families, several exemptions have been put in place. Residents, delivery drivers, local businesses, emergency vehicles, and blue badge holders are all exempt from the restrictions. In addition, parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are allowed to drive up to the school gates to drop off and pick up their children.
However, the scheme has not been without its challenges for some families. Parents who live further away from the school have expressed frustration over the added inconvenience of needing to park further from the school. For instance, some parents at Sandhills Community Primary School raised concerns about the suggestion to use the nearby Thornhill Park and Ride for drop-off, as it added an extra 10-minute walk to the school. The local cabinet member for highways responded by stating that a 10-minute walk should not be seen as a hardship and that it was a reasonable trade-off for improved safety.
As part of the ongoing efforts to improve road safety around schools, the county council is exploring a third phase of the school streets program. New restrictions are planned for schools in Didcot, Carterton, and Banbury. The council has emphasized that before expanding the scheme, each school will be carefully assessed to determine the most effective layout to manage traffic and ensure safety for both students and the surrounding community.
For businesses in the area, the new school streets restrictions could lead to slight delays or changes in delivery times, especially during peak hours when roads are closed. While the exemptions for delivery drivers should help alleviate this issue, businesses should plan their schedules accordingly.
For tourists visiting Oxfordshire, the new traffic regulations might cause some inconvenience, particularly for those unfamiliar with the local area or relying on nearby schools for parking. However, for those visiting schools or attending local events, the cleaner and safer streets around schools can be seen as a positive outcome of the initiative.
The decision to make Oxfordshire's school streets permanent represents a significant step forward in the county's efforts to improve road safety and air quality around schools. While the scheme has had positive effects on pedestrian safety, local businesses, and tourism, some challenges remain in managing displaced traffic. By continuing to refine the program and expanding it to other areas, Oxfordshire is working towards creating safer, more sustainable streets for children, residents, and visitors alike.