A report seeking approval from the Sub-Committee to make an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order for the implementation of a School Street scheme on Great Knollys Street for the Civitas Academy.

The Sub-Committee received a report that sought approval to make an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order for the implementation of a School Street scheme on Great Knollys Street for the Civitas Academy.  A copy of the Civitas School Street Traffic Management Plan was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

The report explained that in autumn 2023 Civitas Academy, situated in Great Knollys Street, had carried out an informal consultation with affected properties and parents/carers on the proposal to implement an experimental School Street on Great Knollys Street and a School Street application had then been submitted by the school in January 2024.  The proposal was for the closure of Great Knollys Street to all but eligible vehicles immediately to the east of its junction with Bedford Road.  The closure would be from this point eastward for the length up to the point of Great Knollys Street where there was an existing traffic restriction and pedestrian and cycle link through to the eastern end of Great Knollys Street.  There would be no obstruction to access Reading Buses as this was already inaccessible to vehicles.  Apart from the school the only properties that would be affected within the closure area would be residential and under the terms of Reading’s School Street scheme these vehicles would retain access under the eligible vehicle category.  There was a two hour free parking bay adjacent to the school which would be inaccessible to ineligible vehicles throughout the closure although vehicles already parked there would be able to exit the area during the closure.  The proposed time of the road closure for the School Street would be 8.30am to 9.00am for the morning drop-off and 2.55pm to 3.40pm for the afternoon pickup, Monday to Friday during term time only. 

Officers had assessed the application, including carrying out parking surveys on the proposed School Street and neighbouring streets, to determine the current baseline usage of the streets and based on these reports it had been determined that there was adequate capacity on the highway network surrounding the area to accommodate any displaced vehicles.  A Stage 1 Road Safety Audit had also been carried out by an independent road safety auditor on the proposed School Street and the only safety concern that had been raised regarded the amount of advanced warning signage which had subsequently been addressed in the traffic management plan.  There was strong support from the school’s leadership and senior management team with particular support from the Head Teacher and governors.

Resolved –

(1)        That the report be noted;

(2)        That the making of an experimental School Street on Great Knolly Street, Reading at Civitas Academy be approved;

(3)        That in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport and Ward Councillors, the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to make the appropriate (experimental) traffic regulation order for the proposed School Street on Great Knolly Street in accordance with the Local Authorities Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996;

(4)        That the commencement of a six-month statutory consultation from the commencement of the experimental scheme be approved;

(5)        That subject to no objections being received during the statutory consultation period, the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to make the experimental order permanent.