Rush-Hour Traffic Ban For Streets Outside Wimbledon Schools

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More 'School Streets' are being rolled out across Merton

Rutlish School is getting a 'School Street'

Children across Merton are returning to school – many after six months in lockdown.

And as families get used to new rules at schools, there are also a few new rules on the roads around schools they will have to watch out for.

Seven new School Streets have been introduced in the borough, bringing the total to 11. This is expected to increase to more than 20 schools in the coming months.

School Streets – which include two new schemes in and around Wimbledon - ban most traffic from the road immediately outside the school gate at the start and end of the school day.

The aim is to reduce pollution and make it safer for pupils going to school. Drivers will face a fine for entering the School Streets at restricted times.

                                                                                                                                The first four were rolled out in July 2019 and those coming in this year will be trialled for 12 months, with residents able to give their feedback on the schemes. None of the first four schemes were in the Wimbledon area.

The seven new schemes will see roads around the school closed to traffic from 8am to 9.15am and 2.45pm to 4pm.

The following schools are now included:

Poplar Primary School, Merton Park

Rutlish School, Wimbledon

Aragon Primary School, Morden

Beecholme Primary School, Mitcham

Benedict Primary School, Mitcham

Date Valley School, Mitcham

Gorringe Park Primary School, Mitcham.

Local residents, businesses and teachers can apply for exemption and blue badge holders and emergency vehicles will also be exempt.

Access will be made for local residents, business and teachers, but only if they have registered for exemption and meet the criteria. Exemptions will also be made for blue badge holders and emergency vehicles.

Visitors and deliveries will not normally be permitted during closure times. Exceptions will be considered on a case-by case basis.

Merton Council has also published proposed layouts for School Streets to be introduced at the following schools:

All Saints

Bishop Gilpin

Garfield

Hillcross

Hillcross – Monkleigh

Holy Trinity

Hollymount

Malmesbury

Merton Park

Pelham

Ricards Lodge

St Marks Primary

St Marys

St Matthews

Stanford

The Sherwood

Ursuline High

William Morris

Wimbledon Park.

By Tara O'Connor, Local Democracy Reporter

September 8, 2020