St Bede's Catholic Primary - Safer Routes to School Scheme

We need your views.

Darlington Borough Council is committed to giving residents a say in how local services are planned. We therefore welcome your views on the proposed changes to the area around St Bede’s Catholic Primary School 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 are we proposing (please see drawings below)

St Bede’s consultation plans [pdf document]

Thompson Street East and Kingsway.

We are proposing to improve road safety around St Bede’s School by installing the following features: -

• Two raised crossing facilities on Thompson Street East with the eastern location incorporating a refurbished signalized crossing.
• Installation of a more clearly visible raised crossing facility on Kingsway along the school frontage.
• Creation of a 20mph zone along Thompson Street East and Kingsway accompanied by appropriate features, signs, and road markings.
• A refresh of existing parking restrictions and school ‘Keep Clears’.
• Installation of a speed indicator device on Thompson Street East approaching the railway bridge in the Northern footway, to prompt drivers to be more mindful of their speed.

Physical features have been selected for Thompson Street East to encourage lower vehicle speeds. Traffic speed surveys have demonstrated that lighter measures in the form of road markings (20mph roundels) are appropriate to accompany the proposed 20mph zone around Kingsway.

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 whilst encouraging more people to make active travel choices.

Our commitment

We will give an undertaking to:

• Consider the feasibility of the scheme as a whole or in part.
• Listen and consider comments.
• Make appropriate changes to scheme.
• Advise residents of the outcome of this consultation and the next stages.

How do you find out more and get involved?

If you wish to contribute to this process and share your views and opinions, you can:

• View or download a full version of the consultation pack. [pdf document]
• View or download the plans. [pdf document]
• Share your views and opinions using the following online questionnaire. https://forms.office.com/e/7UEqg6X2pi [external link]
• Request a paper version of the consultation pack to be sent to your home address via the following email address. [email protected]
• Or scan the QR code below

What do you need to do?

Please take the time to consider our proposals as indicated on the attached plans and then complete the short questionnaire. 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 us using the contact details included below.

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

Contact: Noel Walecki (Highway Design Manager) on (01325) 406706 or email [email protected]

Alternatively, contact Andrew Brown (Principal Highway Engineer) on (01325) 406631 or email [email protected]