Good marks for Old Portsmouth School Street

St Jude’s School Street reduces car traffic while encouraging walking and cycling

Children, parents and residents near a school in Portsmouth have benefited from safer journeys to and from school, a year after the School Street in the area was started.

Since its inception, the initiative has led to a 64% reduction in car traffic near the school in the first six months, the number of people walking has increased by 47%, and the number of cyclists on the road has doubled. These statistics show that more people are choosing safer, healthier, and greener ways for the last part of their journey to school.

Portsmouth City Council launched the St Jude's School Street in late February 2024.

During School Street operating hours, the road is dedicated to people walking, cycling and scooting by restricting access to non-essential motor vehicles during drop-off and pick-up times. Over the past year, the St Jude’s School in Old Portsmouth has seen most children walking and scooting to and from school, with free parking spaces available five minutes away from the school gate for those who need to park and make the last part of the journey on bikes, scooters or on foot.

Using various funding streams, the council has also made several improvements to the area around the school, including a new raised table zebra crossing on the High Street to make it safer for people to cross the road.

Parents cycling to school are now able to securely park their bikes thanks to three new bike stands and cycling charity Sustrans have offered free ‘Bike Doctor’ sessions for children and staff to ensure that bikes are in good working order as well as lessons on active travel and road safety.

Additionally, zigzag markings and railings outside the school have been refreshed to provide a safer environment for children and younger siblings. This was supported by highways contractor Colas as part of its social value commitment.

A new painted play area provides fun activities for children waiting to enter school.

The school has also extended gate opening times to 20 minutes around drop-off and pick-up times, giving parents more flexibility to get their children to school on time.
Cllr Peter Candlish, cabinet member for transport, Portsmouth City Council, said: “I'm pleased to see the St Jude's School Street making a positive impact on children, parents and carers. By making it easier for people to make walking, cycling or scooting part of the school run instead of using private cars, we can make journeys to and from school safer, healthier, and more sustainable, and this also benefits all other road users by reducing traffic at peak times."

School Streets were introduced to Portsmouth in 2021 to promote walking and cycling by temporarily limiting most motorised traffic around schools during drop-off and pick-up times. This initiative not only creates safer routes to school but also enhances the quality of life for residents by reducing traffic congestion, noise, and air pollution.

School Streets limit the amount of non-essential traffic from entering the roads near schools during drop-off and pick-up. Parents, children, school staff and visitors are encouraged to walk or cycle to school, resulting in a safer, healthier environment which develops cleaner air and reduces traffic congestion and noise in residential areas. Research has shown that pupils who walk and cycle to school are more alert and ready to start the day than those who travel by car.

During a School Street, access is available for residents and business premises on the street, emergency services, school transport, Blue Badge holders, taxis and carers of residents who live in the street. People with specific requirements can pre-agree access with the head teacher.

Portsmouth City Council has trialled School Streets around five schools in the city, with two now made permanent at St Jude’s Church of England Primary School as well as Bramble Infant and Nursery School in Southsea.