Refreshed road markings help improve safety outside 54 schools as part of Council’s £1million investment

Road markings outside 54 schools across Wandsworth have been repainted and refreshed as part of Wandsworth Council’s £1million investment in updating faded signs and lines, making them clearer for drivers and the roads safer for schoolchildren during the new school year. 

The changes include new zig zag lines and other freshly painted markings, telling drivers where not to stop, park or wait so that schoolchildren and other pedestrians can cross the road with a full view of any oncoming traffic. 

These new road markings come as part of the Council’s £1million investment in refreshing faded signs and lines across the whole borough over the next four years to make roads safer and boost pride in our streets. 

A further 49 schools with zig zag lines will also receive a refresh, most before the end of the year and the rest by the end of March 2025. 

Councillor Jenny Yates, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “We know that lines on some of our school streets had become faded, which can make it harder for drivers using these roads to know where they can and cannot stop, and for children to cross the road if there are cars blocking the way. 

“We regularly update markings to improve the safety of our roads, but this is the first time we have upgraded so many at once. 

“We want people in Wandsworth to feel pride in their streets. That’s why, as well as this project, we’re investing £100million in our roads and pavements over the next ten years as part of our decade of renewal to make it easier for people to walk, cycle or drive around our neighbourhoods. 

“This will be paid for by the money we receive from property developers, meaning we can improve the borough without adding a penny to your Council Tax.” 

James Heale, Headteacher at Allfarthing Primary School, added: “The new markings outside of Allfarthing Primary school are a fantastic way to start our academic year. 

“There is a blind corner into our road and so the school and our community really appreciate the impact this will have on their children’s safety.” 

These aren’t the only changes being introduced to make journeys to school safer. The Council has just passed its ambitious target of 50% schools in the borough now being a ‘School Street’. 

On School Streets, one or more roads (or a part of a road) near a school entrance will temporarily close to motor traffic at the beginning and end of the school day, making these pedestrian and cycle routes only. 

This helps to create safer, cleaner and greener neighbourhoods and encourages families to embrace a pedal-powered commute or walk to school if they can.