Two Jarrow primary schools are taking part in a six-month trial of School Streets to help create a safer, healthier environment outside the school gate. 

Rise has supported South Tyneside Council and charity Sustrans through the planning process for the School Streets scheme, which will see the roads outside Simonside and St. Mary's Primary Schools in Jarrow kept clear for children when they arrive at school and leave to go home. 

This helps to keep pupils safe from traffic and reduces air pollution outside schools but also enables families to be more active, by doing more walking, cycling or scooting as part of their journey, which helps towards better health. 

Suzanne McDermott, Rise’s infrastructure and environment strategic lead, said: “We’re thrilled that the School Streets pilot project is now underway in South Tyneside. We hope that the scheme will increase the number of children and parents using active travel to get to and from school – as well as reducing the number of cars within the streets close to the schools. 

The impact that the restrictions are having on the way in which children travel to school will be monitored throughout the project along with feedback from the children, parents, school and the wider community.” 

Rise’s Infrastructure and Environment team works with partners to enhance existing environments to be active in by engaging with, and understanding the needs and aspirations of, our local communities. 

Read the full story on South Tyneside Council’s website