Newham Council is considering changes to its Healthy School Streets scheme that could allow more vehicles to access restricted roads during school drop off and pick up times.
The scheme, which operates outside schools across the borough, limits vehicle access at the start and end of the school day in an effort to improve safety and encourage children to walk, cycle or scoot to school.
While the programme has been praised for making roads safer, concerns have been raised that some residents are struggling to access essential services because of the restrictions.
Speaking at a council meeting on Monday, Labour councillor Susan Masters, who is responsible for roads and transport, said the authority would review whether exemptions should be widened for residents with health needs.
Her comments came in response to concerns raised by Newham Independents councillor Idris Ibrahim, who said some elderly residents had experienced difficulties getting to medical appointments because taxis and private hire vehicles were unable to enter restricted streets during operating hours.
Cllr Ibrahim told the meeting that residents in affected areas had reported problems arranging transport when road restrictions were in place.
He asked whether the council had explored ways of accommodating those with health related needs, pointing out that other local authorities had adopted different approaches.
Responding, Cllr Masters said the Healthy School Streets programme had been a success overall but acknowledged that improvements could be made.
She said: “We think it’s been a great success in terms of making streets around schools a lot safer but we want to make sure going forward that that focus on safety remains.
“I agree, some of improving that might be about widening access where there are health needs. We all know cases where that’s happened.”
Healthy School Streets are designed to reduce traffic around schools during the busiest times of the day, helping to improve road safety and air quality.
Newham Council currently allows several groups to apply for exemptions, including residents living within restricted zones, businesses and charities based there, Blue Badge holders who need access to schools, and certain school staff.
Emergency services, black cabs, Royal Mail vehicles, NHS vehicles, special educational needs transport and council refuse collection vehicles are also exempt from the restrictions.
No details have yet been announced about what changes could be made or when a review of the scheme might take place. However, the council’s comments suggest that greater flexibility for residents with medical or mobility needs could be considered in future.
