Road safety set to be improved around Christ Church School

Lambeth Council have confirmed that from June, new measures will come into force to protect children from speeding vehicles around Christ Church School in Myatt’s Fields.

Following lobbying from local councillors Cllr Paul Gadsby and Cllr Annie Gallop, the Council confirmed last year that a “safer street” would come into operation near the school: under the updated details for the scheme, Cancell Road, between the junctions with Eythorne Road, Elliott Road, and Russel Grove in its entirety, will close temporarily to motor vehicles between 8.30-9.30am and 2.45-3.45pm, Monday to Friday during term time. These changes will take affect from 17 June 2024.

Residents and Blue Badge holders will still be able to access the road at all times by applying for an exemption. Emergency vehicles will also have access.  Other motor vehicles will be restricted during these times.

If residents have any questions, or wish to enquire about exemptions, they can visit this webpage, email schoolstreets@lambeth.gov.uk or call: 020 7926 9000

Lambeth Council will be collecting feedback on the School Street for six months from 17 June 2024.

Cllr Paul Gadsby and Cllr Annie Gallop, said:

“We are really pleased that the Council has listened to local residents and placed restrictions on motor vehicles from outside the area driving around Christ Church school at peak times for the school. This will really improve safety for local children. We will continue to press for further action to make our roads and streets safer for all residents across Myatt’s Fields.”

30 May 2024 Update: Please note this article has been amended to reflect the new implementation date which will now be on the 17 June (as opposed to the 3 June originally).

More than a decade of Tory cuts leaves Myatt’s Fields school £2 million worse off

Parents and pupils in Myatt’s Fields have been on the end of cuts of more than £2 million since 2010, according to a new campaign launched by teachers’ leaders.

The shocking figures are contained in a new analysis of education funding since the Tories, aided by their Lib Dem allies, came to power in 2010. It reveals that:

  • Christ Church Primary School on Cancell Road has had its budget reduced by £276,710 since 2010, a drop of £1,520 per pupil.
  • Van Gogh Primary School has had its budget cut by £416,487, with a reduction of £1,281 per pupil.
  • St Gabriel’s College has lost a staggering £1.7million from its a budget, over £2,700 per pupil.
  • Overall, schools in Lambeth have lost over £41 million in funding since the Tories began slashing budgets.

Local councillors Paul Gadsby and Annie Gallop said:

“These cuts lay bare the awful impact of more than a decade of Tory austerity: cut after cut has had a direct impact on the education of local children.

“We will continue to campaign for a better deal for our local schools, and for a Labour government that properly funds our local schools.”

New move to ensure childrens’ road safety close to a Myatt’s Fields school

Local children will be protected from speeding vehicles near a local school under plans tabled by Lambeth Council.

The “school street” initiative for Christ Church school is part of a borough wide programme that has been in operation for a number of years. Your local Labour team has been pressing for the inclusion of the school following representations from parents and residents.

Under the scheme, some nearby streets are temporarily closed at times when pupils are arriving or leaving schools — the beginning and the end of the academic day. The details are to be confirmed, but the council has set a likely starting date for Christ Church of May next year, probably briefly shutting Cancell Road between Elliot Road and Eythorne Road.

Myatt’s Fields councillors Paul Gadsby and Annie Gallop said:

“This is a good step by Lambeth Council which we do welcome: residents have been pressing for sometime for the area around Christ Church to be made safer for children during peak times for the school. We would like to thank everyone who has been in touch with us about this issue.”

Councillor Rezina Choudhary, Cabinet Member for a Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air, commented:

“Cllr Paul Gadsby and Cllr Annie Gallop have made it very clear to the council that more needs to be done to tackle the traffic problems around Christ Church School which have been a cause of real concern for local parents.

“We have listened to their lobbying, and believe a school street will be a significant step towards protecting local children and reducing traffic around the school at peak times. We do realise there is a lot still to be done across Myatt’s Fields, including addressing the congestion issues on Loughborough Road and dangerous driving around Myatt’s Park, the Myatts North and South estates. We’ll continue to work with councillors and residents on all of these challenges, especially as the borough has announced a substantial package of funding for the area.”

Polling stations for local elections on 5 May 2022

On Thursday, 5 May, residents in Myatt’s Fields will have the opportunity to cast their votes for two local ward councillors who will represent the area for the next four years.

Polling stations will be open 7am to 10pm, and will be located at the following locations in the ward:

Christchurch School, Cancell Road, SW9 6HN

Myatt’s North Community Centre, 24 Crawshay Road, SW9 6FZ

The Minet Library, 52 Knatchbull Road, SE5 9QY

For more information about polling day please take a look at this page – you can read the local pledges from the Labour candidates here.