Croydon Council have abandoned their child safety street scheme after failing to comply with necessary legal procedures when first introduced during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The reasoning behind the cessation is due to Croydon being unable to follow the appropriate public consultations in autumn 2020.

The School Streets scheme was introduced to limit the use of roads in close proximity to primary schools.

The limits had become quite unpopular, especially to motorists who ignored the signs and ended up with a minimum of a £60 fine.

The council gave an announcement stating that the ten primary school roads that were initially introduced in late 2020 “will be paused while Croydon Council prepares for fresh local consultation”.

The ten affected primary schools by the removal of the restrictions are:

●Downsview Primary School

●Christ Church CofE Primary School

●Harris Primary Academy Croydon

●Harris Primary Academy Hailing Park

●Oasis Academy Ryelands

●Ecclesbourne Primary School

●Keston Primary School

●Ridgeway Primary School

●St Joseph’s Catholic Junior School

●St Thomas Becket Catholic Primary School

Croydon Council claims that for the introduction of the restricted roads, they used an Experimental Traffic Order (ETO) – which ordinarily needs a public consultation of six months minimum.

The council said: “Due to covid-19 lockdowns and school closures, their introduction and necessary consultation was disrupted. The council now plans to prepare new Experimental Traffic Orders and accompanying consultations. There will be no enforcement during this period.”

They also added: “These schemes have proven very popular with parents, schools, and pupils, having made many pupils opt to walk, cycle, or scoot, as part of a healthier school run. This has led to quality time with parents and carers, better focus in class, and more sustainable journeys. The council intends to return these schemes as soon as possible and apologises for any disruption in the meantime.”