Children at Rotherfield Primary, one of the first six schools to ban rush-hour traffic

• I AM in favour of the proposed school street schemes (Ban on rush-hour through traffic at primary schools, October 26), but strongly believe that the proposal for Drayton Park School is ill-thought-out and will only result in kicking the pollution can down the road, in this case other nearby roads.

The plan as proposed does not go far enough. It’s too little. The best way is to ban all traffic from Arvon, Ronalds, Horsell and Witherington roads, but to give exemption to residents and deliveries, emergency vehicles and taxis (for those who can’t drive or have certain needs).

I am 100 per cent in favour of reducing the exposure to pollution of pupils and those who walk them to school, but I fear that those dropping children at Drayton Park School will still be able to drive up Witherington, Horsell and Ronalds roads unrestricted and wait with engines running while dropping their children. Children and older vulnerable people live in those roads too.

If parents are forced to use other roads in the vicinity, that will cause even more traffic congestion (as they will need to drive into Horsell Road and up Witherington Road and also Ronalds Road to drop off their children).

If the proposal as stands goes ahead then residents in the rest of Arvon Road, Witherington Road, the impacted part of Ronalds Road (between the barriers at either end) and the impacted part of Horsell Road must have the same exemption as is suggested for residents of the small section of Arvon Road immediately next to the school.

Arvon Road is part of a series of streets that only have two entrances to them. If Arvon Road is closed for 45 minutes twice a day it will make Horsell Road the only access point (which will have additional school traffic using these roads to get to the school). Horsell Road has parking on both sides and already gets extremely congested.

As residents, 50 per cent of our access will be taken away during these times. No reference is made to what will happen to emergency vehicle access if this scheme goes ahead. The knock-on effect of only one exit and additional school traffic flow from these groups of streets for an hour and a half each school day will have a significant impact on residents’ lives.

The reality of this scheme will be the opposite of what is intended. Witherington, Ronalds and Horsell roads will have traffic jams, with engines running and air pollution increased significantly, not only for pupils of Drayton Park but for all the residents of these roads.

This increased traffic will mean that normal journey times for residents going about their lives will have to be doubled as getting out of Horsell Road will become even more difficult. In effect, it will not just be an hour and a half, as the knock-on effect will take time to clear.

Finally, Drayton Park borders the school, but there is no plan to restrict traffic there. This is an inconsistent approach to planning.

OLIVER SCHOFIELD
Ronalds Road, N5