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

The Sub-Committee received a report that sought approval to make permanent an experimental traffic order for the school street scheme on Great Knollys Street for the Civitas Academy.  The Consultation Results were attached to the report at Appendix 1 and the Civitas School Street Plan was attached to the report at Appendix 2.

The report explained that following the introduction of the scheme the school had experienced a positive improvement in the environment outside of the entrance.  It was more relaxed and safer as the removal of vehicles from this section of Great Knollys Street had removed many of the conflict points.  The location had previously been a chaotic and, at times, dangerous environment with many vehicles trying to access or making dangerous turning movements in the road.  There was continued support from the school’s leadership and senior management team for the scheme, however, as with all school street schemes there were some concerns over the ongoing resourcing requirement.  Despite this issue the school was keen that the scheme continued but, also that the Council investigated alternative approaches to enforcement that might remove this requirement in the future, such as camera enforcement.

Officers had recently engaged the services of transport consultants to carry out a review of the Council’s wider approach to school streets and road safety near schools.  The review would include assessing feasibility of alternative options for enforcing school streets, such as camera enforcement but, would also review alternative traffic calming measures that could improve road safety outside of schools.  A report on this work was expected to be submitted to a Sub-Committee meeting in 2026 and might offer a solution to the current resourcing issues that were being faced by schools.

The report explained that a consultation had been carried out between 13 September 2024 and 13 March 2025.  There had been four responses and of those two had supported the scheme, one had objected and one did not know and left no comment.

The Sub-Committee discussed the report and it was suggested that air quality should be measured outside schools to illustrate the environmental impact and benefits of school street schemes.

Resolved –

(1)           That the report and the consultation feedback set out in Appendix 1 be noted;

(2)           That the Officer recommendations, as set out in the report, be agreed and the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services given authority to make permanent the existing Experimental Traffic Regulation Order;

(3)           That no public inquiry be held into the proposals.