Published: Tuesday 18 April 2023
Thomas Jones Primary School will see a new School Street at St Marks Road to help reduce congestion and improve air quality. School Streets restrict vehicle access at pick up and drop off times to reduce toxic air pollution and encourage active travel, meaning children have a safe and healthy start to the day.
Kensington and Chelsea already has nine active permanent School Streets and with Thomas Jones Primary School added to the list, it will look to further support and encourage children and others to walk, cycle or scoot to school.
The new School Street on St Mark’s Road (closure between Cornwall Crescent and Lancaster Road) will be in place from Tuesday 18 April with motorised traffic restricted between 8.45 - 9.10am and 3.10 – 3.40pm Monday – Fridays during school term time.
Cllr Cem Kemahli, Lead Member for Planning, Place & Environment said:
“School streets have been enjoyed at many schools in the borough we hope this new one inspires children at Thomas Jones primary to travel sustainably and encourage walking and cycling to keep the school surroundings safe from polluted air. We look forward to continuing to work with schools and parents to create even more school streets for a greener, safer and fairer borough.”
Parent volunteers will help school staff set up the barriers for the street each morning and afternoon. One said:
“We often notice the volume of traffic on this road, which is being used as a bit of a rat run. Personally from a family perspective, our eldest has got asthma – she also went to this school. So just to have a street without any pollution, even if for just the hour that children are walking to and from school I think is a really good idea.”
The road will not have timed closures during school holidays.
Dr Bike mechanic were on the school grounds mending bikes with pupils riding in and getting their bikes checked.
Find out more about the borough’s School Streets.