States to trial another 'school street'

Monday 20 January 2025

La Houguette Primary School has moved a step closer to confirming its own 'school street'.

A year long trial has started today, following last May's successful week-long feasibility trial that was instigated by pupils.

If successful, the trial will see La Houguette adopt a similar system to the one near St Martin's Primary School.

Pictured: (Courtesy of Google Maps) Rue de L’Arquet is the lane that is located downhill from La Houguette school, and has access to the school’s field and the Mirus battery.

For one year from today (Monday 20 January), Rue de L’Arquet will be closed to traffic on weekdays during term time between 08:00 and 09:00 and 14:30 and 15:30.

There will still be exceptions in place for those who are cycling, emergency vehicles, and vehicles accessing properties, but La Houguette Primary School Headteacher, Claire Judd said overall the trial will aim to create safer access to La Houguette Primary School for pupils, parents and staff.

“After the success of the short trial last May, we’re really pleased to be able to go ahead with an official trial with a view to seeing if this could become a permanent fixture to improve safety for those walking, cycling or scooting to our school," she said.

“We’re really proud of our pupils who initiated this positive change – as a school we already have a big cohort of students and parents who travel actively to and from school. It’s so important for them to see that they have a voice and that they can make a real difference to their community.”

Pictured: A similar system is in place around St Martin's Primary School and has been for a number of years, with similar aims to improve active travel, and make it safer for those commuting to the school.

Paul James, Traffic and Highway Services’ Road Safety Officer, said: “Encouraging people to use alternative transport where appropriate is one of our key objectives and making it safer to walk or cycle is a really good way to encourage people to change their travel habits.

“It’s been really good to work with La Houguette Primary School again to enable pupils to travel to school in a safe and sustainable way.”

Traffic and Highway Services add that they will consider any feedback received as well as monitoring the success of the trial before reporting back to the Committee for the Environment and Infrastructure before a decision is made about whether the scheme should be made permanent.

Anyone who would like to provide feedback on the trial can email traffic@gov.gg or write to Traffic and Highway Services, Edward T Wheadon House, Le Truchot, St Peter Port, GY13WH before 20 October this year.

Pictured top: La Houguette Primary School.