How does the proposed ‘access only’ zone work on Strand on the Green and Thames Road, and can I still access the schools and businesses by car?
The ‘access-only zone’ proposed for Strand on the Green, Thames Road and the adjoining side streets is a new approach to be trialled as part of this project. It requires the capturing of number plates across linked cameras, with the journey time of vehicles measured to determine if the vehicle is making a through movement. This avoids the need for residential properties within the zone to register to a list, and therefore retains authorised vehicle access (e.g. to the school, public houses, or other businesses), whilst allowing the borough to enforce against through traffic.
The Strand on the Green and Thames Road area lends itself well to the trial, as it has only two access points at the eastern and western end (Grove Park Road and Strand on the Green respectively). Through trialling this system in a more contained area, it will allow the council to understand the operation, maintenance and ultimate success of such an approach in reducing through traffic. In turn, this will allow an analysis of how replicable the measures may be in other local areas.
