Tower Hamlets residents are calling for safer routes for children travelling to and from school, citing concerns over road safety and air quality.
The issue was brought to the forefront at a recent Tower Hamlets Council meeting, where a petition on the matter was presented. The petition, advocating for safer school journeys, has been referred to the Corporate Director for Communities for a written response within 28 days.
Ted Maxwell, a resident of Vesmo Green and father of four, addressed the council, highlighting the need for investment in school streets. These streets create safer routes by restricting car access during school drop-off and pick-up times.
Mr Maxwell criticised the council's record on implementing new school streets, stating, How can this council claim it champions young people when it has introduced no new school streets since this administration started in 2022, even removing one at Chisholm Hill Primary School?
He further noted the concerns of families at Chisholm Hill Primary School, who miss the safer environment and cleaner air provided by the school street. He urged the council to re-prioritise £2.5 million, currently allocated to defending a decision to remove safer streets in Bethnal Green, towards implementing school streets across the borough.
Councillor Shahfi Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Emergency, responded to the petition, stating that the council understands the concerns for the safety of children travelling to and from school and remains committed to creating safer, healthier streets for all. He noted that 33 schools in Tower Hamlets have time-restricted motor vehicle restrictions, commonly known as school streets, or other physical road safety enhancements designed to create safer environments around schools.
Councillor Ahmed also stated that improvements are assessed on a site-by-site basis to ensure that interventions are appropriate, effective, and equitable. He said that while time-restricted closures can offer benefits, they can also present challenges, particularly for residents with mobility impairments, those reliant on vehicle access, and others with complex travel needs. He said that in some cases, the limited funding available for road safety may be better directed toward infrastructure improvements that can provide continuous protection throughout the day. These can include pedestrian crossings, speed reduction measures, and footway enhancements, offering broader and more consistent safety benefits than time restrictions alone. While Councillor Ahmed mentioned the potential for infrastructure improvements like pedestrian crossings, speed reduction measures, and footway enhancements, he did not provide specific details on implemented or planned improvements, or the budget allocated for these.
He concluded by stating that school streets are one part of a wider strategy, but they are not the only solution to road safety and concerns around schools.
