A road safety scheme that is the first of its kind in North Yorkshire is transforming the way Harrogate children travel to school – and its success means more areas could soon benefit.
The School Streets initiative on Beechwood Grove in Harrogate, where Oatlands Junior School is situated, restricts traffic at drop-off and pick-up times.
North Yorkshire Council has decided to make it permanent after an 18-month trial generated support from the local community.
And it has been used to full advantage by staff, pupils and local road safety campaigners, who have launched a ‘Bike Bus’.
The initiative is an organised group cycle to school, with pupils, parents and carers travelling together from The Stray to Oatlands Infants School then Oatlands Junior School.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for highways and transport, Cllr Keane Duncan, said:
“The School Streets initiative has had such a positive impact.
“The first in North Yorkshire, it represents a huge milestone for increasing road safety and promoting sustainable travel from a young age.
“It has allowed more children to enjoy safer journeys to school every day and it has made the increasingly-popular ‘Bike Bus’ scheme possible."
He added:
“It was fantastic to join parents, children and staff on their way to school. The atmosphere was incredible and everyone had a great time.
“It’s very welcome to see the initiative’s success, which is yet another example of the council’s coordinated effort to improve road safety outside schools.
“The success of School Streets here serves as an exemplar for the rest of North Yorkshire and we are now looking to introduce similar schemes elsewhere in the county.”
Members of the Oatlands Road Safety and Active Travel Campaign, Hazel Peacock and Ben Mortimer, launched the ‘Bike Bus’ in collaboration with Oatlands Infants School, Oatlands Junior School and Sustrans.
Mrs Peacock said:
“The Oatlands ‘Bike Bus’ has been a great success in creating a fun and active way of travelling to school and in bringing the community together.
“It has been held once a month since November, with up to 60 people taking to their bikes on each ride.
“We have definitely seen more parents and carers cycling with their children as part of the School Streets scheme.
“It has created a safe environment around the school, enabling pupils and their parents and carers to use healthy, active and fun ways to get to and from school every day.”
Marks and Spencer and Hornbeam Park railway station have agreed to be a ‘park and stride’ location, allowing families who live further away can park their cars and walk a short distance to school.
Cllr John Mann, who represents the Oatlands and Pannal division on North Yorkshire Council, said:
"This landmark scheme is testament to the collective determination of schools, families, and councillors in response to public concerns.
“It shows that we have been able to deliver ambitious action and sets a positive example and leads the way for communities across North Yorkshire."
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