School Streets project expanded in Barking and Dagenham

Grafton School takes part in the project (Credit: Be First)

A School Streets scheme has been expanded in Barking and Dagenham. 

Motorists are going to be banned from entering zones around seven more schools during their morning drop off and afternoon pick up periods. 

Number plate recognition cameras will detect anyone breaking the rules although school staff and residents living in the area will be able to apply for an exemption. 

The scheme is aimed at making streets safer and healthier for children by reducing traffic and lowering air pollution. 

Signs will warn drivers about the zones (Credit: Be First)

Barking and Dagenham Council agreed to the expansion at a meeting last night. 

“The recent COP26 has given us all another wake-up call – we need to cut emissions seriously to make our planet liveable for future generations,” said councillor Margaret Mullane, cabinet member for community safety and enforcement. 

“Our School Streets are a way of doing this as they not only make our streets safer for children travelling to and from school, but with less traffic around they also help reduce pollution and make our air cleaner.”

Here is a list of the schools taking part in a 12-month trial of the programme: 

Sydney Russell Primary School by February 2022

Richard Alibon Primary School by March 2022

Hunters Hall Primary School by March 2022

Parsloes Primary School by March 2022

Southwood Primary School by March 2022

Valence Primary School by Summer 2022

St Joseph’s Primary School by Summer 2022

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