Reading’s first ever School Street road closure was launched yesterday.

Park Lane Primary School (Junior) began the temporary road closure to motorised vehicles at Downing Road and Lambourne Close at drop-off times between 8.30am to 9am and then again at pick-up times between 2.55pm to 3.35pm.

The scheme, approved by Reading Borough Council (RBC) earlier this year, will allow closures of motorised traffic outside Park Lane Primary School (Junior) for up to 45 minutes twice a day during term time.

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Residents can come and go, while deliveries, taxis and other visits to homes are also allowed.

Park Lane Primary (Junior)

Park Lane Primary (Junior)

Head of the junior school, Rebecca Brown, said: “We are very excited that our School Street has now launched.

“My only concern is some parents parking on the green or on the private road Beechwood Avenue.

“Aside from that, this morning went really well. I’ve seen a message from a resident saying how pleased they are with it.”

She said the scheme would help with improving pollution levels and “getting children healthier”.

Explaining why the school went ahead with the scheme, she said: “The traffic issues has always been a slight concern because of the layout.

“We talked to parents about parking elsewhere, we put metal signs down and they have been knocked over a few times.

Park Elsewhere Sign

Park Elsewhere Sign

“It is a bottleneck situation and there are a lot of children. There is a lot of foot traffic between the infant and junior school.

“The School Streets initiative came up and it is something we have always been very passionate about. All the residents were in favour.

“They had concerns about access but they all said yes to the trial.”

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The school has worked with the British Legion, liaising with them so that they can have quick access and ringing them weekly to find out what their timetable is.

They have also been helped by The Prince pub, which is allowing them to use the car park in the mornings from Monday to Thursday.

The School Street at Park Lane Primary (Junior) is initially a six-month trial, with trials already planned at two other schools: Wilson Primary and Thameside Primary.

Parent Andi Furno, who volunteers as a School Street marshal, said: “The whole community appreciates and really wants safety for the pupils.

“In the morning particularly, this road was a hotspot. Everybody got together and got things moving.

“Hopefully, we can set the example. It is very easy to implement.”

Maiden Erlegh School in Reading, UTC and Alfred Sutton Primary School have developed a joint proposal for a School Street on Crescent Road, which is being reviewed by the council.