The Blue School - Proposed Priority Working on North Street (between Manor House Way and Swan Street)
Consultation has concluded
This consultation is closed and thank you for your contribution. Please see the latest update below.
Background
In recent years, the council has stepped up its efforts to tackle problems associated with traffic around schools at drop-off and pick-up times, notably road safety concerns, poor air quality, and inconvenience to residents. To that end, in November 2022, we consulted on proposals to introduce a School Street, to restrict motor vehicle access in the immediate vicinity of the main school entrance at drop-off and pick-up times, at the North Street entrance to The Blue School.
Consultation responses indicated that the scheme was not supported by residents. As such, the proposals were not taken forward, following a Chief Officer decision in April 2024.
In consultation with Local Councillors, Officers developed alternative proposals to address on-going concerns about two-way flows past the school access where there is insufficient width for such movements without conflict with high pedestrian flows during school drop off and pick up times.
The proposals were to introduce priority working and widen the footway outside the school access. Consultation to consultation on the amended scheme took place between 13 May – 9 June 2024.
The consultation was also available to the wider public on the Council’s consultations web page. A total of 11 responses were received to the consultation, including 1 from St. John’s Resident Association and 1 from Hounslow Cycling Campaign.
Consultation responses Support the proposals Support the proposals with amendments Do not support the proposals 1 6 5 8% 50% 42% Of those who supported with amendment, those amendments, respondents noted other traffic issues in the area, and general concerns over parking at school times.
Conclusion and Recommendation
A majority of respondents supported the proposals, and Officers recommended that they be implemented. The parking bay layout in Upper Square, and its impact on traffic flows at busy times, was considered further during detailed design.
The expected cost of implementation was £40,000 funded from a TfL allocation.
The scheme was completed in November 2024 and below are photos of the changes made.
Overview
In 2022, we consulted on proposals to introduce a School Street in North Street, Isleworth for The Blue School.
The responses were not supportive of the scheme, raising a number of concerns about the impact on residents and on the wider road network. After consideration, the Council has decided not to introduce the scheme.
The full report setting out the consultation responses and the decision is available on the Council’s website at https://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=622&MId=13214
Alternative proposals to deal with the outstanding issue of the narrowness of North Street in and around The Blue School without restricting access have been, and this consultation seeks views on those proposals.
The consultation area was defined in discussion with ward Councillors, and consultation letters and plans were sent out to 610 residents/properties in the vicinity of The Blue School. The letter was also sent via email to a range of stakeholders representing transport-related groups across the Borough, including: Age UK Hounslow, Disability Network Hounslow, Hounslow & Hillingdon Association for the Blind, Hounslow Cycling, Isleworth Society, Little Warkworth House, London Sustainability Exchange, Middlesex Association for the Blind, Old Isleworth Four Road Residents Association, St. Johns Residents Association, Sustrans.
What are we proposing?
Details of the proposals can be seen in the attached plan, and include:
Giving priority in the section of North Street outside the school, where the road is not wide enough for two vehicles to pass., to vehicles heading towards South Street,
Widening the footway outside the school to create additional space for pedestrians, and support the priority working.
Re-positioning school keep clear markings to ensure vehicles do not cause an obstruction.
Re-routing cyclists travelling towards Brentford away from North Street onto Lower Square, so that they are not affected by the loss of priority.
Why are we proposing this?
The proposals deal with the outstanding issue of the narrowness of North Street in and around The Blue School without restricting access.
How to respond
We welcome your feedback and would encourage you to complete the short survey below to let us know your views on the proposal by Monday 10 June 2024. .
As the Council are using a new consultation platform, you will be asked to complete a quick registration process before going on to submit your responses to our survey,
If you would like to request an accessible version of this consultation, such as large print, Easy Read or Braille, please email: consult@hounslow.gov.uk.
Next Steps
Paper copies of all consultations and surveys are available. To request one, please email consult@hounslow.gov.uk or call 020 8583 2000.