School Streets: Nelson and Thomson House

Overview

A School Street is where a road or section of a road near a school temporarily closes to motor traffic to become a pedestrian and cycle zone at the start and end of the school day.

There are many benefits of Schools Streets including keeping the area outside the school gates free of congestion, reducing idling vehicles, encouraging active travel to school, aiding social distancing, creating a pleasant and calm atmosphere at the start and end of the school day and, of course, improving road safety.

Whilst everyone is encouraged to avoid driving in a School Street during the restricted times, certain vehicles (including those of residents in the School Street) are exempt from the restrictions.  You can find out more here.

Since June 2020, the Council has introduced 13 School Streets (serving 16 school sites). Further information about the programme can be viewed on the School Street pages of our website here.  In response to positive feedback on those schemes and interest from additional schools in the borough (and in line with the target set out in the Richmond Air Quality Action Plan), the Council is proposing to introduce a further phase of School Streets.

This consultation is to let you know about the proposals for these School Streets and to invite your feedback.  The schools being considered are listed below along with a map of the proposed layouts for these School Streets:  

• Nelson Primary School (see map here)
• Thomson House School (see map here) Map corrected 21st Feb

Subject to the responses to this consultation and feedback from our local engagement, the proposals may be implemented as shown, adapted or withdrawn. Our intention is to introduce the schemes by Experimental Traffic Order in spring/summer 2022. 

Further Consultation

If the School Streets go ahead, a separate consultation exercise will continue for each proposed School Street during the first 6 months of implementation to enable everyone to share their feedback with the Council.  During this time, the Council will monitor and further review the operation of the School Streets and make any suitable amendments.  A School Street introduced by Experimental Traffic Order would only be made permanent by a separate Traffic Order following review by the Council’s Transport and Air Quality Committee.

What is an Experimental Traffic Order?

ETOs are used to deliver immediate and short-term measures that require monitoring and further review giving the Council the opportunity to trial measures.

An ETO can be amended or withdrawn at any time. The Council will monitor the trial schemes and review the data collected.

Have your say

The Council is keen to hear the views of local residents, the school community and businesses throughout the trial period. Feedback can be submitted via the online survey link below.

If you require a paper copy of the survey or a different language/format, please contact schoolstreets@richmond.gov.uk with 'School Streets' in the subject line.

If you have a question about School Streets generally, you may find the answer in our Frequently asked questions about School Streets page, or you can email schoolstreets@richmond.gov.uk.