Three schools have stepped up plans to close roads during drop-off and pick-up hours.

Crescent Road could be the first road in Reading to be closed to vehicles at peak school times, with the council hoping to introduce School Streets on some Reading roads by Christmas.

And Maiden Erlegh School in Reading, Alfred Sutton Primary, and UTC Reading, all based on Crescent Road in east Reading, are now asking for feedback from residents on the plans.

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Headteachers from the three schools on Crescent Road have sent out a letter to residents outlining the plans and asking for responses to its survey.

In the letter, the headteachers said: “As you are aware, the traffic and safety of students and residents on Crescent Road has been a major concern over the past few years.

“Over the past five to six years, our institutions have grown in size and, between us, we now see over 2,000 children and young people daily – the majority using Crescent Road to get to school.

“Given the busy traffic, we share the very real concerns of residents about the safety risks of the current situation.

“We send out regular reminders to our parents and school community to park considerately and safely but this, at best, only results in temporary improvements.

“We also spend time teaching road safety and awareness with our pupils and students, but we sincerely believe that more needs to be done.”

Under the scheme, the area of Crescent Road between Wokingham Road and Bulmershe Road would temporarily become a pedestrian and cycle only zone for 45 minutes at the beginning and end of the school day.

The schools are proposing the closure times would be 8.15am to 9am and 2.45pm to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, at term time only.

They hope this will encourage parents to walk their children to school instead of driving, resulting in safer roads and improved air quality for all.

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Residents within the proposed zone will be able to register for an exemption so that they can still get to and from their homes by car during these closure periods.

Barriers will be erected and manned by volunteer marshals recruited by the schools, who will allow access and exit for residents and emergency vehicles.

The headteachers, Andy Johnson (Maiden Erlegh), Robert Howell (Alfred Sutton) and Jonathan Nicholls (UTC Reading), say they are aware there may be some concerns about traffic being shifted to neighbouring streets, but will aim to limit this through:

Encouraging parents to use dedicated ‘Park and Stride’ sites

Ensuring there is cycle parking available at each school

Encouraging further uptake of cycling courses

Signing up to Modeshift STARS (a national sustainable travel programme) which will help support making changes to long-term travel behaviour.