Croydon school streets: Nine new schemes to be made permanent in south London - where they are

A south London council has given the green light to make nine new school streets permanent, a decision the mayor said reflects “a balanced approach”.

Croydon Council’s cabinet approved nine of the 10 schemes trialled in the borough since September 2020. They had been temporarily paused after a traffic order expired, and could not be made permanent at the time due to Covid lockdowns affecting the consultation period.

The addition of the nine sites means Croydon, which is led by a Tory mayor, has a total of 41 trial and permanent school streets.

Jason Perry, mayor of Croydon, said: “We have taken a balanced approach that listens to residents and makes changes to schemes that aren’t working, where possible, and removes the ones that can’t be amended.

“I’m really pleased we took the time to engage with residents and we will continue to work with schools to find more ways to encourage safer and healthier journeys.”

The school streets which will be retained are:

• Christ Church CofE Primary School
• Downsview Primary and Nursery School
• Ecclesbourne Primary School
• Harris Primary Academy Haling Park
• Harris Primary Academy Croydon
• Oasis Academy Ryelands
• Ridgeway Primary School
• St Thomas Becket Catholic Primary School
• St Joseph’s Catholic Junior School

However, following the recent six-month consultation, the trial at Keston Primary School is to be removed. It will stop operating on October 20.

The council added extra signage will be put in place in Haling Road, Montpelier Road and Southcote Road to offer more advanced warning for drivers.

The decision in Croydon comes as healthy streets schemes across the country have come under pressure from central government.

The prime minister, Rishi Sunak, recently announced the Conservatives will be “slamming the brakes on the war on motorists”, with a review ordered of low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) earlier this year.

In London, Tower Hamlets announced last month it will be tearing out the remaining LTNs in the borough, following a public consultation showing support to keep the schemes.

However, the council’s mayor, Lutfur Rahman, said the 33 school streets would be retained.