Why School Street Schemes Are Vital For Our Children’s Health.

By Ruth Kettle-Frisby – Guest Writer and Community Activist

Ruth is passionate about fostering positive change within the local community and regularly contributes insights and stories to The Havering Daily.

School Streets protect children from heightened risks of collisions and from the health impacts of air pollution during school pick up and drop off times.

School Streets are a blessing because they reduce the risk of school children being hit by cars when they’re toddling to and from school, and they significantly reduce air pollution, including from all the parents idling their cars by the entrances.

If parents had any idea how dangerous these toxic fumes are for our kids – both exacerbating and causing cardiovascular and respiratory conditions – they’d think twice about driving so close to the school in order to prioritise their health. This is especially true for children with asthma and other underlying health conditions. 

Children are at a disproportionately high risk when it comes to both collisions AND the harmful impacts of air pollution. Basically, children are smaller, closer to exhaust pipes, and breathe quicker than adults and their health and wellbeing should clearly come first.

Well-designed School Streets are a no-brainer, making life less stressful because they significantly reduce the number of cars that cause congestion – not just to the school streets themselves, but to the local area. 

School Streets are fantastic because, while residents, Blue Badge holders and local businesses can apply for exemptions, they allow children to walk, wheel, cycle or scoot far more safely and confidently. 

I encourage as many Havering residents as possible to support the School Streets Zone being trialled at Whybridge Infant and Junior and The Brittons Academy Schools to be extended. 

You can participate in the consultation by giving Havering Council your views here:

https://consultation.havering.gov.uk/environment/whybridge-and-brittons-school-streets-expansion

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