Abbey Road Junior and Infant Schools, Safer Routes to School scheme

We need your views

Darlington Council is committed to giving residents a bigger say in how local services are planned and delivered. We therefore welcome your views on the proposed changes to the area surrounding Abbey Road Junior and Infant Schools to introduce a Safer Routes to School scheme.

Darlington’s Transport Strategy

Darlington’s Transport Plan (2023 – 2030) seeks to improve safety for all road users and reduce the impact of transport on the environment. This includes a safer and more convenient highway network around schools delivered through School 20mph and Speed Management Schemes. All schemes are supported by a programme of education, information and publicity to inform residents of the travel choices available to them and their impact on the environment.

What we are proposing (please see drawings below)

Abbey Road consultation plan [pdf document]

Cleveland Terrace consultation plan [pdf document]

Abbey Road

We are proposing to install two speed reducing crossing facilities and a speed reduction zone along the Junior School frontage. The scheme will include:

• Two raised crossing facilities on Abbey Road, near Spruce Grove and Neville Road.
• A 20mph zone on Abbey Road along the school frontage from Carmel Road North to Neville Road.
• Installation of appropriate 20mph and 30mph signs at zone entry points and appropriate 20mph road markings.
• A proposed relocation of the existing bus shelter on Abbey Road in an eastwards direction, to accommodate the raised crossing facility near Spruce Grove.
• Extension of double yellow lines to prevent parking around crossing points on Abbey Rd, around entrance to Spruce Grove and on to Carmel Rd North.
• ‘Keep Clear’ markings removed and replaced by double yellow lines within Spruce Grove.

Cleveland Terrace

We are proposing to install two speed reducing crossing facilities, and a speed reduction zone along the Infant School frontage encompassing Carmel Gardens. The scheme will include:

• A raised crossing facility on Cleveland Terrace near Carmel Gardens.
• A raised zebra crossing installation on Cleveland Terrace near Linden Avenue.
• A 20mph zone on Cleveland Terrace along the school frontage from Carmel Road North to Neville Road.
• A 20mph zone on Carmel Gardens.
• Installation of appropriate 20mph and 30mph signs at zone entry points and appropriate 20mph road markings.

 Why are these measures necessary?

The Council is committed to providing a safer highway network around schools to reduce the risk of road traffic collisions. We believe that these proposed measures will increase the safety of school children and residents in this area, and also encourage more people to walk and cycle.

What do you need to do?

Please take the time to consider our proposals as indicated on the attached plan and then complete the short online questionnaire via the link. The questionnaire has a space for views and comments which will be considered as part of the consultation process and may help to influence the final scheme.

If you wish to ask specific questions, then you can contact the scheme designer below.  

Following this consultation, we will progress with implementation of the scheme. You will be given the opportunity to object formally to the final scheme proposals.