Lucas Vale School Street

Roads close to schools often have periods of the day that are busy with school traffic, causing road safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists, congestion, and poor air quality for all. The primary objective of this programme is therefore to help pupils and parents to socially distance at the school gates and to create a safer environment for travel to school on foot and by bicycle, by implementing a short closure at school drop off and pick up times. However, School Streets also have many additional benefits such as improving the air quality at the school gates, encouraging daily routines that incorporate exercise and helping to reduce the impact of the school run for those that live in the immediate vicinity of the school gates.

How will a School Street affect you?

The attached plan shows the proposals for the school near to your home including the times of operation and School Street closure point(s). St Nicholas Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from 8.15 to 9.15am and 2.30 to 3.30pm Mondays to Fridays on school days during term time only. The closure point will be supported by signage advising the times of the closure, and advanced warning signage will also be in place.

There are a number of ways School Street closures will be managed due to the road layout and circumstances at each location. St Nicholas Street will be closed using signage and collapsible bollards. We have offered schools the option of using temporary barriers/cones in the interim whilst we await the delivery of some of the equipment set out in the plan. This means that the closures can commence relatively quickly. Access will be limited to Emergency Services vehicles.

For further details on this School Street please see the commonplace website, where there are a series of Frequently Asked Questions (link provided below).

What happens next?

You are invited to comment on how the closure is going in your experience and this will be monitored closely. You may also send emails to schoolstreets@lewisham.gov.uk .

If an urgent issue arises, you can also contact the council switch board on 020 8314 6000