Opinions on the current scheme

What works

• The most frequently mentioned positive aspect of the scheme is improved safety (35%).
• Around a fifth comment on the reduced congestion and amount of traffic. The same proportion talk about the need to keep enforcing the scheme actively and persuade the remaining minority to comply with the regulations
• Other positives mentioned are a reduction in dangerous driving, illegal parking and other anti-social behaviour

What doesn’t work

• Lack of compliance and the need for enforcement are the two top negatives mentioned about the current scheme (caution small base). Others feel that it has impacted surrounding roads, that nothing has really changed, and for residents that it is annoying to need another permit

Changes needed

• More enforcement, whether through cameras or parking wardens and fines, is the number one change suggested (45% mentioning)
• A few suggest extending the operational hours of the scheme to deter parents arriving early in the zone, particularly in the afternoons
• Some others suggest better promotion of the scheme including making sure all new parents are fully informed of the restrictions and clearer signage in the area itself

“Children are able to walk safely through the area where the school street scheme is. It is lovely to watch the amount of children who run, skip, cycle and scoot to school.”

“It works best when someone is checking arriving cars entering St Nicholas St, when there’s no one there it’s the same people abusing the system.”

“The school road feels safer and more calmer at drop off and pick up. It is such a positive difference to the previous chaos and dangers of lots of cars driving and fighting for spaces.”

“Less traffic and noise, parking is easier when coming home. Less encounters with angry parents when trying to park or drive on the road.”

“Because parents arrive at 1pm in Poynings Place and they stay there til they collect their offspring.  They have been asked to move on but they ignore us. Photos have been taken.  They have been reported. Yet nothing has been done.  More policing needs to be done from 1pm.”

“Everything. It affects my travel, causes extra stress parking miles away to walk down the school road and find 6 spaces that could have been used . Too many scooters and bikes on pavements and coming into the school gates . Congestion in surrounding streets and illegal parking has just moved from one road to the next complete waste of time and tax payers money.”

“I know it’s expensive, but some more monitoring. Perhaps if a Traffic Warden was to appear during the restrictions a few times over the first few weeks on the winter term and book a few people (and it does seem to be the same few people offending every day, from my perspective at one end of Penny St). So that is my only concrete suggestion, as I see the same two or three cars in the morning and evening offending. In addition, Farthing Lane also needs monitoring, as some parents go round the back and park at the back of the houses on the NE side of Penny St, where they have no right to park.”

“Lots of congestion with cars top end of St Nicholas street and middle part of Penny Street leading on to Peacock Lane. One way system form Pembroke Road leading to St Nicholas street and  Penny Street might improve congestion and safety.”

“A camera surveillance would enforce the regulations and deter offenders.”