A PILOT that made a road next to a Slough school almost car free at peak times has been made permanent.

In 2020, the council’s sustainable transport team ‘Better By’ and Wexham Court Primary School trialled a scheme called School Street to encourage parents and pupils to take up active travel.

This limits motor vehicles accessing Moat Drive during drop-off and pick-up times. Wexham Court Primary School Street is operational from 8am to 9am and 3pm to 4pm term time only.

Residents and businesses who live and work on the School Street, as well as Blue Badge holders, are exempt.

READ MORE: Queen's Baton Relay set to pass Maidenhead, Eton, and Windsor

The school decided to trial the School Street scheme after it experienced poor parent parking in front and near the school as well as speeding vehicles.

After a long trial period, it was finally made permanent on April 29.

Navroop Mehat, Headteacher at Wexham Court Primary School, said: “The School Street closure has meant our children can safely and comfortably travel to and from school. Pupils come running into school, they love it. Their parents let them walk partway to school because they know they are safe. After school, the pupils walk home with their friends and chat. We all chat after school without worrying about a car whizzing past. It is really very beautiful.

“Prior to the School Street, we had cars speeding past all the time. They parked on driveways and blocked the view of pupils crossing. The whole experience was terrifying, which meant pupils did not walk to school as it was just too unsafe.”

READ MORE: Windsor man claims 'plane drops human sewage' in his garden

The annual Living Streets campaign encourages children and parents to leave their cars at home and get active by walking.

Power Up! is this year’s theme for Walk to School Week, which runs from 16-20 May. #PowerUp is a campaign that engages pupils through video game-inspired design and encouraging them to travel sustainably to school every day of the week.

Each day will see a level unlocked and a new mission to complete, through which pupils will discover the benefits of walking for individuals, communities, and the planet. Each pupil will be challenged to walk, cycle, scoot, or park and stride to school every day for one week.

To find out more, visit the campaign page on the Living Streets website.