Children and families at Westgate Hill Primary Academy will be able to enjoy a safer journey to and from school as Newcastle Labour brings its School Streets programme to Fenham.
Newcastle’s Labour-led council is holding a one-day trial outside the school on Thursday 21 October, giving families more space to walk, cycle and scoot while reducing traffic immediately around the school gates.
As part of the trial, Tamworth Road and Bishop’s Avenue will be closed to through traffic between 8am and 4pm.
Residents, Blue Badge holders and people who need access to properties on the affected streets will still be able to get through.
Families who need to use their cars for part of the school journey are being encouraged to park further away and walk the remaining distance, helping to keep the streets immediately surrounding the school clear.
The Westgate Hill trial is one of three being held at Newcastle primary schools this week as Labour explores how School Streets could be introduced more widely across the city.
The approach follows a successful event at Chillingham Road Primary School and is designed to improve safety, encourage active travel and reduce the impact of traffic around schools.
Families and residents have been contacted by the council and will be asked for feedback following the trial.
Cllr Ged Bell, Newcastle City Council’s Cabinet Member for Development, Transport and Neighbourhoods, said: “The trial event at Chillingham Road Primary School was very successful, with children able to enjoy safer travel to and from school.
“It has helped to highlight the many benefits for pupils and their families as well as for residents on the street.
“I’m delighted that we are now able to carry out more trial events at other schools as this will help us to understand how we can develop our plans for School Streets to be put in place across the city.”
Labour wants the Westgate Hill trial to give pupils and their families first-hand experience of a quieter environment outside their school while providing useful evidence for future improvements.