The plans say removing the exemption will remove a potential loophole in the scheme, reports Nick Clark, Local Democracy Reporter

Construction vehicles might no longer be exempt from ‘healthy school streets’ restrictions under proposals by Newham Council.

The healthy school streets scheme restricts most motor vehicles from entering certain roads near schools during periods at the start and end of the school day. Residents of the roads are currently exempt from the restrictions, as are construction, demolition, repair, cleaning, emergency service and utility vehicles.

But the council wants to remove the exemption for construction vehicles, saying it could act as a “loophole” that would allow drivers to get around the ban.

Plans say removing the exemption will “ensure that there will be no abuse of the order by any and all manners of building works”.

Currently, the traffic management order behind the healthy school streets restrictions says vehicles are allowed to enter “for the purpose of any building operation or demolition; or in connection with the laying, erection, alteration or repair of any sewer or of any main, pipe or apparatus for the supply of gas, water or electricity, or of any communications network”.

But the council wants to remove the words “building operation” from this exemption.

Its new plans say the current wording “will allow all kinds of building works regardless of how big or small and at any time of the day”.

They add: “The council have no verification process for genuine claims.”

The council adds that the loophole “has not yet been discovered by members of the public” but that it “could be a matter of time”.

Its plans say: “To do nothing now is likely to lead to increase in traffic during school opening and closing times throughout the borough.

“It will consequently lead to poor air quality results, possible increase in the risk of collisions and serious injury for people walking, scooting and cycling.”

A public consultation on the change is set to run until Wednesday, 20th August, and removal of the exemption could come into force on Monday, 8th September.

However, the council says this could change subject to consideration of objections it receives during the consultation.

Objections can be sent in writing to Newham Council’s acting director of highways, parking and transportation at 3rd Floor West, Newham Dockside, 1000 Dockside Road, London E16 2QU or by email to traffic.orders@newham.gov.uk.

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