I'm a resident of Southcote, Reading, UK, and I feel it's high time we addressed a growing concern in our community—the traffic situation near Southcote Primary School, particularly during drop-off and pick-up times. We find it nearly impossible to get in and out of our driveways on Silchester Road and Shepley Drive and it's become a daily struggle. Numerous near misses have been recorded, an alarming sign of the dangers that exist.

Sadly, the challenge has been amplified by the lack of support from the school. The ample car park that was originally built to be a drop-off point for parents remains off-limits. Instead, parents are forced to drop off children along the one-way road, causing a logjam that takes up to 15 minutes to clear.

School Streets, implemented successfully in other parts of the UK, have been shown to significantly reduce traffic congestion around schools and create a safer environment for all. They prioritise walking and cycling during school start and end times, making drop off and pick up less dangerous and congested.

We believe a School Street for Southcote Primary School would alleviate this ongoing issue, freeing our driveways and reducing near misses significantly, making the area safer for both residents and pupils. We ask the local council and school management to take into consideration our concerns and create a safer, smoother traffic system for the benefit of all.

We appeal to you, our fellow residents, parents and local community members to support this petition. Let's collectively ask for the establishment of a School Street for Southcote Primary School, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our children and our community. Please sign this petition and help us make our voices heard.