Highways projects make school journeys safer for local children

Published: 02 October 2026

Highways projects led by Redbridge Council are helping school children in the borough travel more safely.

Recent ‘back to school’ works involved creating a new footpath by Trinity Catholic High School, in Woodford, and the installation of a new pedestrian signal crossing by Seven Kings Primary School, in Ilford.

After identifying suitable schemes to boost road safety and improve the school journey, Redbridge’s Highways Team worked at pace over the summer to ensure the projects were finished in time for the new academic year in September.

Redbridge Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Neighbourhoods, Cllr Jo Blackman, said: “Our Highways Team worked closely with both schools to deliver these improvements as part of the Council’s commitment to making journeys across the borough safer and easier. We're already seeing the difference the project is making locally, helping create safer routes to school for children. This is just one part of our wider £35 million investment programme over the next four years, which will see us upgrade roads, repair pavements, improve crossings, and make walking and cycling safer right across Redbridge.”

The completed works by Trinity Catholic High School saw a new footpath constructed in Oak Lane, which leads to one of the school’s entrances.

Before the improvements, students would access the entrance by walking over a narrow, uneven, patch of gravel covered land, as well as using the road as additional walking space, triggering safety concerns.

Declan Linnane, Headteacher of Trinity Catholic High School said: “The new footpath on Oak Lane has made our local area safer for all.  Protecting every child in our care comes first, and this footpath supports that every morning and afternoon. Thank you to everyone who pushed for this and delivered it - it is very clear that Redbridge takes safeguarding seriously. It also shows what a strong community achieves when it works together.”

Student Tommy Simpson added: “The old space along Oak Lane was more like a muddy narrow ditch when it rained, and would fill with water quickly making it even more unsuitable to walk on. Now that we have a proper footpath, it’s made the journey to school much better, and best of all there are no more deep puddles to avoid as the new footpath is even and smooth. It has made a big difference to the school community.”

Seven Kings School students are also benefitting from enhanced road safety measures after the Highways Team installed a second pedestrian crossing on Ley Street at the junction of Perth Road, between the school’s two campuses. 

The traffic scheme was developed following concerns from the school about students crossing the busy junction to travel between their two sites.

Jane Waters, Executive Headteacher of Seven Kings School said:“We are grateful to the Local Authority and everyone involved in delivering the new crossing between the primary and secondary campus. Its impact on the school has been significant. For Seven Kings, the crossing is now an essential part of the infrastructure that enables our primary and secondary campuses to function effectively as one all-through school. It provides a safer and more reliable means of movement for our students and staff, supporting access to the full range of facilities across both sites, and has materially improved the way we manage the movement of children between our campuses. We  recognise the significant contribution it makes to the safety, accessibility and effective life of our school.”

The works are in addition to Redbridge’s successful School Streets programme at a number of other schools in the borough.

So far, the initiative has been implemented at more than 30 schools across Redbridge, including Seven Kings Secondary Campus.

Trinity Catholic High School, and Seven Kings Primary School are not part of  School Streets.

Under the initiative non-residential motor vehicles are unable to enter school street zones surrounding schools in the programme, for a short period at the start and end of the school day. The restrictions only apply during term times.

The vehicle restrictions help eliminate dangerous traffic hotspots near the schools under the programme, making children less vulnerable to road accidents and creates a safer journey to and from school.

Fewer vehicles by the school gate also helps reduce children’s exposure to harmful vehicle emissions, and encourages more walking, scooting, and cycling to school for a more active and healthier school journey.

For more information on Redbridge School Streets go to: https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/roads-and-pavements/redbridge-school-streets