School Streets survey
In spring 2021, we carried out School Streets surveys to gather the views of pupils, adults and residents who attend, travel to or live by one of the following schools, where a School Streets scheme is in place.
- Shirley Junior School - Bellemoor Road – (started September 2020)
- Shirley Infant School - Wilton Road – (started November 2020)
- Mansbridge Primary - Octavia Road – (started November 2020)
- Freemantle CE Community Academy – Mansion Road – (started November 2020)
- Wordsworth Primary - Victor Street – (started December 2020)
- Regents Park Community College - Richville Rd – (started December 2020)
- Valentine Primary - Valentine Avenue – (started March 2021)
- Shirley Warren Primary - Warren Crescent – (started April 2021)
- Mansel Park Primary - Portlock Road – (started September 2021)
As of 10 May, we received 521 responses (124 pupils and 397 adults).
We have analysed the results of the surveys and our main findings are below:
School Streets make the streets safer and more pleasant
- 85% of pupils said they feel safer or a lot safer on their school street when they walk/cycle/scoot
- 80% of adults agree or strongly agree that the street is safer
- 62% of adults agree or strongly agree that the street is now a more sociable space (13% disagree or strongly disagree)
- 50% of adults agree that the street is now a more inclusive place (12% disagree or strongly disagree)
- 46% of adults agree that the street is now a more attractive place (13% disagree or strongly disagree)
School Streets are having a wider impact
- 53% of adults agree or strongly agree that the air quality has improved (11% disagree or strongly disagree)
- 52% of adults agree or strongly agree the surrounding streets are the same or less congested with car traffic than before the school street (35% believe they are more congested)
School Streets are supporting more active travel
- 78% of pupils said it’s easier or a lot easier to walk/cycle/scoot to school
- 60% of parents agree or strongly agree it is now easier to walk/cycle/scoot to school and back (12% disagree or strongly disagree)
- 27% of parents walk more (3% walk less)
- 7% cycle more (4% cycle less)
- 14% scoot/skate more (4% scoot/skate less)
- 17% drive less (4% drive more)
There is strong overall support for School Streets
- 83% of pupils said they are quite happy or very happy with their school street
- 76% of adults would like the school street closures to continue (16% would not)
- 56% of residents of school streets support the closures (37% do not) and 51% want the closures to continue (40% do not)
- 72% of local residents or those who travel through the area support the closures (18% do not) and 66% want the closures to continue (25% do not)
Overall 82% of adults said they support the school street road closures (13% are against them).
What did people say?
Pupils
- “[I like most] that everyone is able [to] walk without worrying about cars”
Parents
- “It is so much safer for our children and the air quality is better. I am more relaxed waiting in the queue for school knowing there aren’t as many cars. Illegal parking down the road has massively reduced too. It should definitely continue.”
Residents
- “[…] this makes the travelling by foot to school a lot safe. No cars!! It’s brilliant. It also encourages kids to walk to school as parents cannot just pull in to drop the kids off.”