CARS could soon be stopped from travelling along roads outside schools during drop off and pick-up times in a victory for parent power.
Parents and residents near St George’s RC Primary School took matters into their own hands and stopped “unnecessary” traffic from driving on Thorneloe Walk after they claim there were near misses with pupils.
The parents took action after petitioning the council for a School Street but now it has been announced they can go ahead outside schools if there is support for it.
A School Street sees a temporary restriction on vehicles at school drop-off and pick-up times outside the school.
READ MORE: Thorneloe Walk resident fed-up over vans crashing into his wall
Cllr Mike Rouse, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "I have requested a process be put in place to empower councillors to deliver School Streets where there is local support for them.
"Any proposals will be subject to public consultation and will need to be funded by the county councillor’s devolved funding streams.
"This is the best way to deliver School Streets wherever they are truly wanted and can work according to the statutory guidance, while not forcing them onto an unwilling community where they may not be wanted or unsuitable.”
"The new process will be going live over the next couple of months, and I told councillors this at the last Full Council meeting well before this illegal blockade started."
Cllr Matthew Jenkins, Green Party Councillor said that there has been a campaign for the School Street to be implemented for the last three years.
Speaking about the Throneloe Walk blockade, he said: "This was a practical and proportionate response to a unique situation due to the highways diverting motor traffic down Thorneloe Walk.
"The wall has been knocked down or damaged on many occasions and this week a Coop HGV driver crashed outside Riverside School which is on the next street to Thorneloe Walk.
"A petition with 245 signatures calling for action at this location was presented to the council in December 2022."
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Parent Isabelle Michel, who participated in the action in Thorneloe Walk, said: "This isn't about politics it's about making the road safer.
"I invite all the councillors, especially cllr Rouse, to join forces and make School Streets a reality in Worcestershire, starting with Thorneloe Walk.
"We want a safer environment for the children travelling to school, and we need action now."
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