A contraversial new traffic scheme goes live today in Didcot and some residents are still waiting to receive their permits through. The council is in the process of putting up signage to alert people to the changes and you can read more about this here but beware as entering the zone during the close down timings could result in a fine.
The school streets programme was introduced through the UK government’s Department for Transport funded active travel programme in 2021.
A key priority for Oxfordshire County Council is to create a transport network that makes active travel the first choice for short journeys. The term ‘active travel’ includes walking, cycling and wheeling. School streets is a part of their safe streets policy in the Local Transport and Connectivity Plan (LTCP), (Local Transport and Connectivity Plan(External link)) and is in their Active Travel Strategy (Active travel Strategy)(External link). The aim is to create a safer, healthier, and more welcoming environment where the public is benefiting from better air quality and less traffic congestion. Getting to school without a car | Oxfordshire County Council(External link)
A school street is developed by working in collaboration with schools, implementing additional active travel measures to support the increase in travelling to school by walking, wheeling, cycling, and scooting, whilst reducing car-use, and car-dependence.
School streets aim to:
- reduce traffic congestion and inappropriate vehicle use
- open streets up to people walking, wheeling, cycling, and scooting
- improve road safety
- improve air quality
- provide opportunities to improve physical and mental health
- provide opportunities for children to travel to school together with their friends, building social skills
- support children so they arrive at school, energised and ready to learn
- teach children road safety and travel independence, increasing their travel confidence
What is happening
School streets will close a section of the road outside the school’s entrance for a short period of time during school drop-off and pick-up times on school days only. The period of time is usually for 45 minutes – 1 hour. Please see timings below for Didcot, and a map of the area impacted.
| School/s | Proposed school street times | Proposed school street coverage |
| Banbury – Harriers Banbury Academy | 8.15am – 9.15am and 2.30pm – 4.00pm | Harrier’s View from the junction with Bloxham Road. |
| Carterton – Edith Moorhouse Primary School and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School | 8.15am – 9.15am and 2.30pm – 3.30pm | Carter’s Close, Edgeworth Drive, Home Close, Lavender Place, Richens Drive, Rose Close and Spurrett Gardens, and Lawton Avenue between Alvescot Road junction and Arkell Avenue/Rock Close junction. |
| Didcot – Willowcroft Community Primary School and St Birinus Boys School | 8.00am – 9.00am and 2.30pm – 3.30pm | Abbott Road, The Croft, Glebe Road, Kynaston Road between Mereland and Ridgeway Road junctions, Mereland Road between Abbott and Kynaston Road junctions, Richmere and Ridgeway Roads. Also Sinodun Rd. |
PLEASE NOTE THAT SINODUN ROAD IS ALSO A RESTRICTED ROAD ALTHOUGH THIS IS NOT INDICATED ON THE MAP BELOW.
If you are a resident living on the marked streets and you have not done so already, you will need to apply for a permit. If you conduct a business at your home, with traffic to/from your address, you will need to apply for an exemption permit for regular visitors. Proof of car ownership and your address is required to complete the permit application process.