MRA Commentary on the School Street Initiative
The Merrow Residents’ Association (MRA) has reviewed the proposal for a “School Street” at St. Thomas of Canterbury School, located in Merrow, Guildford. The concept of a ‘School Street’ involves temporarily restricting motor vehicle access to the roads immediately surrounding the school during drop-off and pick-up times (8am-9am and 2:30pm -3:45pm). This initiative aims to create a safer, cleaner, and more pleasant environment for pupils, parents, and staff.
Claimed Potential Benefits
· Improved safety for children travelling to and from school by reducing traffic congestion and the risk of accidents.
· Reducing pollution close to the school from motor vehicles.
This initiative
Local Authorities are being encouraged from central government to promote ‘School Streets’ around schools with traffic and pollution issues.
In this case the proposals simply focus on the immediate school environs. This initiative only applies to St. Thomas’ School. There are no mentions, comments or proposals on how to address the impacts of displaced parking, traffic disruption, or the special circumstances of St. Thomas’ school having a Catholic foundation that engenders a very wide catchment requiring driving to school.
What should you do about it?
The MRA will be following this issue carefully and will be responding.
We have learned that the ‘School Street’ proposal is being driven by Surrey County Council, encouraged by the Department for Transport and Active Travel England.
St. Thomas’ is one of the consultees invited to respond to the SCC consultation process.
You may have seen the flyer or letter from Surrey County Council. You should respond to the preliminary consultation online.
A drop-in session to be held by Surrey Highways on Tuesday 17th March, 4-6pm at Jefferies Hall (Laustan Close, Merrow, Guildford, GU1 2TS, situated at the back of St Pius X Church).
Surrey Highways will share further details of the proposals and answer questions you may have.
We have also gathered 7 related documents so that you have all the information that we have seen on this matter:
1. Surrey Highways Consultation 2026
2 St Thomas School – initial leaflet
3 St Thomas School letter to local residents
4 St Thomas School – Street Plan A
5 St Thomas School – Street Plan B
6 St Thomas School – Street Plan C
7 UK Government pages for setting up and managing a School Streets scheme