Medway, Provision of Pedestrian and Cycle Zones Notice

Medway Council

Public Notice

PROVISION OF PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLE ZONES OUTSIDE SCHOOLS

NOTICE OF MAKING

The Medway Council (School Streets) (Pedestrian and Cycle Zones) (No. 1) (Part I) order 2025

1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Medway Council on 26 August 2025 made the above-mentioned order under sections 1, 2 and 4 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended.

2.  The general effect of the order, which comes into operation on 1 September 2025 will be to introduce a new ‘pedestrian and cycle zone’ in the vicinity of each of the schools listed in the Schedule to this Notice, operating at the times and comprising the streets or parts of streets listed in that Schedule.

3.  All motor vehicles except permit holders would be prohibited from entering the pedestrian and cycle zones during their hours of operation. Virtual permits allowing vehicles to enter a pedestrian and cycle zone would be available to residents and those caring for residents, of premises located within or only accessible from the pedestrian and cycle zones, by application to the Council. Local buses would be exempt from the restriction (Orchard Street and View Road). Further exemptions would apply to vehicles of those dropping off or picking up students with special educational needs or who are disabled (the details of such vehicles being registered with the school) and to emergency service vehicles, school buses and certain other service vehicles and utility vehicles (in an emergency only) and also to school staff requiring access to parking facilities within school grounds. Any vehicle that is already within the pedestrian and cycle zone prior to its commencement of operation would be permitted to leave.

4.  Persons wishing to question the validity of the order or any of its provisions on the grounds that it or they are not within the powers conferred by the 1984 Act, or that any requirement of the 1984 Act or any instrument made under that Act has not been complied with, that person may, within six weeks from the date on which the order was made, apply for the purpose to the High Court.

5.  Copies of the order and associated documents can be requested by sending an email to TROconsult@ medway.gov.uk or by writing to Parking Design team, Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, ME4 4TR before the end of a period of six weeks from the date on which the order was made.

6.  All representations have been duly considered and included in a delegated report discussed by elected members. The scheme aims to fulfil its objectives of reducing traffic congestion and pollution at the school gates, improving road safety and making it safer for children to get to and from school actively, during times agreed with the schools. The scheme is required to promote active and sustainable transport by enabling a safer and calmer environment for the benefit of school visitors and residents.

7.  This order is being made in part. The School Street scheme for St William of Perth School (Canon Close, Rectory Grange) will be implemented at a later date (Part II) in conjunction with mitigating measures to be proposed in Maidstone Road via a separate traffic regulation order.

Adam Bryan
Director of Place
Thursday, 28 August 2025

SCHEDULE  

(1)  pedestrian and cycle zones operating between 8am and 9.15am and between 3pm and 4pm on Monday to Friday inclusive: in relation to Cliffe Woods Primary School, comprising of the following road: VIEW ROAD, CLIFFE WOODS (between Merryboys Road and Milton Avenue). (2)  pedestrian and cycle zone operating between 8.15am and 9.15am and between 3pm and 4pm on Monday to Friday inclusive: in relation to Fairview Primary School, comprising of the following roads: DREWERY DRIVE, GILLINGHAM (between Maidstone Road and Edward Close); ST MARGARETS DRIVE, GILLINGHAM; CARVORAN WAY, GILLINGHAM; EDWARDS CLOSE, GILLINGHAM and LAKEWOOD DRIVE, GILLINGHAM. (3)  pedestrian and cycle zone operating between 8am and 9am and between 3pm and 4pm on Monday to Friday inclusive: in relation to High Halstow Primary School, comprising of the following road: HARRISON DRIVE, HIGH HALSTOW, ROCHESTER. (4)  pedestrian and cycle zone operating between 8.20am and 9am and between 2:30pm and 3.30pm on Monday to Friday inclusive: in relation to Hilltop Primary School, comprising of the following road: HILLTOP ROAD, WAINSCOTT, ROCHESTER (between Cooling Road and Marden Road). (5)  pedestrian and cycle zone operating between 8am and 9am and between 3pm and 4pm on Monday to Friday inclusive: in relation to St. Margarets Church of England Infant and Junior School, comprising of the following roads: ORCHARD STREET, RAINHAM, GILLINGHAM (between Broadview Avenue and Thames Avenue); TUDOR GROVE, RAINHAM, GILLINGHAM; HURST PLACE, RAINHAM, GILLINGHAM and GATEKEEPER CHASE, RAINHAM, GILLINGHAM.