‘Pencil bollards’ feature in Richmond Schools Streets

`Pencil bollards` are being trialled at St John the Baptist Primary School in Hampton Wick PIC: Zoe Ford

Richmond Council is to roll out 17 School Streets across the borough using 'pencil bollards' and 'dragon’s teeth' at entrances to schemes.

The ‘enhanced gateway’ design includes a 5m deep red resin bound surface across the carriageway at each of the School Street entrances. There are also four white triangular ‘dragon’s teeth’ along the kerb edge on the red surface with three pencil bollards on either side.

ANPR cameras will be in operation at some School Streets though smaller schemes will be managed by signs only.

The treatment has been trialled at St John the Baptist Primary School in Hampton Wick where there the council had observed higher than average levels of non-compliance. The enhanced gateway treatment has led to a significant reduction in Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) in the area, the council said.

Alexander Ehmann, Chair of the council’s Transport and Air Quality Services Committee, said: “This first-of-its-kind treatment has attracted a lot of interest from other councils around the country and Richmond hopes that what began in our borough may yet become the template that other councils will follow.

“The trial has resulted in fewer drivers entering School Streets and that is the result we were hoping for. Our desire has always been to make these spaces as safe as possible, which means reducing the fines issued in them. That is why the council has invested time and resource in a design that helps drivers to know the special nature of the street ahead.”