On Monday 26 June Ferndale Primary School, Great Barr became the first school in Sandwell to benefit from a School Street.

To celebrate the launch children from the school were greeted by ‘Living Streets’ mascot Strider who made a special appearance, along with council officers from Highways Services, West Midlands Police and school staff.

‘School Streets’ is a nationally recognised project to promote sustainable travel and reduce the impact of school gate parking.

This initiative restricts vehicle movement and parking on Ferndale Avenue in the morning and afternoon periods when children are going to and leaving school. It aims to improve road safety, reduce congestion and pollution and encourage walking to school which is good for physical and mental health.

Sandwell Council has initially introduced a Traffic Order to be in force for 18 months to restrict vehicle movement and parking in Ferndale Avenue during displayed times. Only drivers who have an essential permit will be able to enter, leave or park in Ferndale Avenue during the restricted times. Deputy Head teacher of Ferndale Primary School, Rachel Rought, said:

“We are absolutely thrilled to be the first school in Sandwell to have an official School Street, which enables our children and their families to walk to school safely.

"We have received very positive feedback so far from our families and local residents and, most importantly, the children themselves who are enjoying being able to walk into school without the fear of being injured by a passing vehicle. “

Councillor Danny Millard, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Highways, added: “This is a brilliant scheme which has proved to be a great success in other parts of the country so we will be monitoring the scheme over the next 18 months to see how effective it is in Sandwell.”