Safer school journeys in Hillingdon

The upgrades, including new dropped kerbs, tactile paving, safety bollards to prevent pavement parking, and brighter LED crossings, were delivered in partnership with local schools and the council's School Travel and Road Safety (STaRS) team, ensuring that children can travel to and from school with greater confidence and security. 

The STaRS team provides free support to all schools in the borough to encourage safer, healthier, and more sustainable travel. This includes working with each to create a School Travel Plan (STP) that promotes safer, more sustainable commutes, as well as helping deliver projects to reduce car use, ease congestion, improve air quality, and promote active journeys through walking, cycling, and scooting. 

The highways improvements were delivered at:  

• Charville Academy, Hayes  
• Hayes Park School   
• Hillside Infant and Junior Schools, Uxbridge 
• Oak Farm Primary School, Uxbridge 
• Pinkwell Primary School, Hayes   
• Snowden Avenue, Uxbridge (to support students from Swakeleys School for Girls)

Cllr Steve Tuckwell, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing and Growth, said: "We're always looking at how we can improve travel in Hillingdon to make it safer and more accessible, so it's fantastic to see these works completed and pupils being able to commute with confidence.  

"We're committed to working with all schools to enhance sustainability and safer student travel. If your school hasn't yet engaged with our STaRS team to develop a School Travel Plan, I'd encourage you to get in touch." 

"Our thanks to Transport for London for supporting these schemes and funding the engineering works." 

Headteacher at Hayes Park School, Rebecca Broadhurst, said the school promotes safer and sustainable travel through the School Travel Plan it created in partnership with the STaRS team. Staff also work alongside students elected as 'Junior Travel Ambassadors' (JTAs) to identify safety issues.   

She said: "Hayes Park School has worked in very close partnership with the council, during the last year in particular, to identify opportunities for infrastructure and safety improvements close to the school site. This has included: new bollards, refreshed road markings, targeted support from safer neighbourhood police teams and parking patrols. 

"These combined efforts are helping to create a safer environment for pupils, families and the wider community, especially during busy school drop-off and pick-up times." 

If you would like to speak with the STaRS team about your STP or other initiatives, email stars@hillingdon.gov.uk.