School Streets Scheme

West Berkshire Council (WBC) has secured funding from the Department for Transport's 'Emergency Active Travel Fund' (EATF). Allocations for Phase 2 include a pilot scheme to encourage active travel at school start and finish times.

A School Streets scheme is a community-based approach, aiming to:

School streets schemes place children and families first, to keep them safe and healthy by encouraging walking, scooting and cycling. They also limit the impact vehicle movement may have on the desires of a school community to embrace active travel at the start and finish of a school day, as well as the impact extra vehicles may have on local residents living close to our schools.

The evaluation of early School Streets projects in other areas across the UK has shown that traffic outside schools had reduced on average by 68%, children cycling to school had increased by 51%, and harmful vehicle pollution outside schools was down by almost 75%. There are many benefits when a community use more active modes of travel, some of which result from increased physical activity, while others come from a decrease in traffic in the local area.

Experimental road closure proposals

All of the School Streets pilot schemes in the UK to date have been implemented by the use of an Experimental Traffic Management/Regulation Order (ETO). The restriction imposed by an ETO is a prohibition of motor vehicles, applicable Monday to Friday during school term-time only. It operates for very short periods of time, approximately 45-60 mins, set to coincide with school pick-up and drop-off times. This will effectively create a ‘Pedestrian and Cyclist Zone’ on the surrounding streets. We'd like your views on the following options:

Restricted access only points at:

Restricted access only times of:

All residents within the restricted areas will be able to enter and exit their roads without any restrictions, they will be identifiable by a special School Streets permit, which will need to be displayed in the vehicles registered at their address. The movement of vehicles on streets with restricted vehicle access will be regularly monitored. Permits will be automatically issued by our Parking Team to affected local residents before the scheme is live.

If you believe you are entitled to a permit and have not received one by 1st August 2021, please contact parking@westberks.gov.uk

Example permit:

We'd like to hear your comments on the pilot scheme and any other locations you think should be considered. To get started, click on the Have Your Say tab on the top right of the map below. You can drop as many pins on the map as you like. You can also view and like other people's comments.

Following the close of the initial consultation on 23 April 2021, your feedback and suggestions will be considered, and if appropriate, a pilot scheme designed and installed.

If the scheme is installed, a new Design feedback consultation will be opened for you to tell us about your experiences, report on the impact the installed scheme may have had, or suggest any further improvements you think would be beneficial. Once the pilot scheme has been in place for 6 to 9 months it will be reviewed, and if appropriate, changed according to the feedback you provide. The consultation will remain open for the life of the pilot scheme, approximately 12 to 18 months.

At the end of the pilot all feedback will be considered before the scheme is made permanent or removed completely.

How to be kept informed

Results and updates will be regularly reported through the Commonplace news articles. Registering your interest will ensure you are keep informed on the school street schemes progress and any changes.

The Calcot Schools Heat map is open for comments until Friday 23 April 2021.

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