School Streets are taking off in a big way - with fourteen being implemented in Richmond Borough since September.

But what exactly are they, what purpose do they serve and how does our borough stack up compared to the rest of London

Well luckily here at Nub News we're here to keep you informed with our handy guide to School Streets.

What are School Streets?

A School Street is where a road with a school temporarily closes to become a pedestrian and cycle zone-only during the school's opening and closing times, to enhance the safety of school children.

The idea is simple and effective - however the downside is that this increases congestion on other nearby roads.

However from a safety perspective for the children it really does make a difference.

Why School Streets have been created

Here's what Richmond Council had to say about the new streets.

"We have been working with schools in the borough to promote active travel for a number of years, however many schools and parents are still concerned by road safety and air pollution around schools.

"We receive many requests for general traffic management and safety improvements that are demonstrated to not be justified, given finite resources, in terms of accidents, speeds and traffic flows.

"However, a more moderate approach is taken near schools recognising the particular concerns there are towards children's safety, active travel and exposure to pollution.

"It is hoped that some of these concerns will be addressed by reducing the number of vehicles at school start and finish times.

"By temporarily closing roads outside the school, we hope to create a safer, more pleasant environment around the school.

"We aim to reduce congestion and pollution levels as well. The schemes are being proposed under an experimental traffic order to be able to monitor any impacts before considering making the schemes permanent."

Where are they in our borough?

There are school streets across Richmond and even one on Teddington's doorstep at St John the Baptist on Lower Teddington Road.

The other schools include:

Orleans Primary School

St Stephen's Primary School

Twickenham Primary Academy

St Richard Reynold Catholic College

Stanley Primary School

Hampton Infants and Nursery School

Holy Trinity CoE Primary School

The Richmond Upon Thames School

Hampton Hill Junior School

Jack and Jill Pre Prep School

St Mary's CE Primary School

The Russell Primary

Trafalgar Infant and Junior Schools

How does Richmond Borough stack up against the rest of London?

20% of Richmond's schools are now served by School Streets.

This is compared to 0% last year.

This is above the 15% London-wide average.

Islington leads the way with over 50% of their schools being served by a School Street.

Bexley and Barnet are now the only boroughs not to have the streets in the whole of London.

So it looks like School Streets are here to stay.

You can read the report these statistics were obtained from HERE