Calls for faster action on safety measures to protect of 360 schoolchildren at Harrogate school street
Anxious Harrogate parents, residents and teachers are calling for greater speed on the delivery of an essential ANPR/safety camera for the landmark School Street scheme, which protects 360 school children every single school day.
Three years ago, the community at Oatlands Junior School community celebrated the arrival of the School Street and the end to a congested and hostile environment outside the school on Beechwood Grove, every drop off and pick up time.
Since then, they say, progress by the local authority on the delivery of the scheme, which they say has been a great success so far, has been lagging behind good intentions.
Backed by Harrogate MP Tom Gordon and York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith, the community now fears the situation may go backwards.
Hazel Peacock, Oatlands and Pannal Ash Road Safety & Active Travel Campaign said: “We are concerned the future of this trailblazing school street scheme is being caught in the crossfire of the bigger picture, with serious implications to the safety of the schoolchildren which protects them every day. We hope the words of NYC are matched with action soon.”
Estelle Scarth, Headteacher at Oatlands Junior School said: “The safety of our school pupils is of the utmost importance.
"The school street scheme has transformed what was once a dangerous space into a safe, calm one, enabling healthy active journeys for all our pupils.
"A return to the previous situation which was hostile and dangerous is unthinkable.”
The very first of its kind in North Yorkshire, it was launched initially as a pilot in September 2023 through grassroots collaboration between parents, residents, school and North Yorkshire Council.
It came following years of calls for action to North Yorkshire Council from the school and community about safety and, a serious collision involving three vehicles in January 2023 which hospitalised a school pupil.
Following a successful pilot the scheme was made permanent in January 2025 and has been transformative in improving safety and quality of life.
It has enabled mode shift with 93% of pupils now actively travel to the school by walking, wheeling or cycling and transport independence from a younger age.
An ANPR/safety camera was promised by the local authority as a long-term sustainable enforcement measure but, three years on, it has yet to materialise.
In Spring 2025, Council Executives advised the camera would be implemented after a three-month trial at a junction near shops in Selby due in summer 2025 but, by July this year, the Selby trial still had not started and is delayed until early 2027.
With years of inaction, the community at Oatlands Junior School is now asking for the trial to be switched to the school street at Oatlands Junior School.
And they have the backing of major political figures.
Tom Gordon MP for Harrogate & Knaresborough said “The school street at Oatlands Junior School has transformed a dangerous and unpleasant space into a safe one for both schoolchildren and residents.
"It has also created an environment where active travel is easy and possible, helping to create healthy habits, particularly important now childhood obesity in North Yorkshire is above the national average.
"I urge Executives at North Yorkshire to urgently prioritise the safety of the schoolchildren in Oatlands with the installation of the ANPR/safety camera.”
David Skaith, Mayor for York & North Yorkshire, said: “We’re investing record-breaking amounts to fix our roads and make them safer for everyone.
"School Streets are at the heart of that mission, because every child should be safe, and feel safe, getting to and from school.
"The Oatlands School community have been at the forefront of making this happen, which is why it’s frustrating that such a simple solution to protecting it for years to come isn’t happening.”