Restrictions on La Houguette ‘rat run’ after successful trial
A ROAD near La Houguette School is set to permanently close to vehicles at peak school times following a successful road safety trial last year.
Access to Rue de L’Arquet will be prohibited between 8am and 9am and 2.30pm and 3.30pm on every school day from the week after next, Monday 20 January.
Emergency vehicles and vehicles travelling to or from premises located in Rue de L’Arquet are exempt from the ban.
A trial closure between for a week in May last year – forming part of the School Street scheme which involves roads outside schools having temporary restrictions on motorised traffic at drop-off and pick-up times – proved hugely popular among La Houguette teachers, pupils and parents.
During the week, scores of pupils took part in walking buses, congregating at Morrisons Garage at Perelle and walking up in a group to school while supervised by teachers and parents.
La Houguette headteacher Claire Judd said the success of last year’s initiative meant discussions with Traffic & Highway Services about the possibility of making the closure permanent were straightforward.
‘Before the trial last year the pupils sent leaflets to the people living on the road about what was happening, and they were supportive of it, so we knew a problem wasn’t going to come from the residents.
‘It will reduce traffic and mean the pupils who actively travel on that road to get to and from school will be that bit safer, so it’s a win-win.’
She confirmed the school’s walking buses would make an official return during the summer term, and did not rule out their expansion over more days in light of the closure.
‘We do the buses during Walk to School Week and then every Friday in the summer, but if it’s popular we might have to do it more regularly.
‘It depends on the teachers, obviously, but both they and the pupils got so much out of it last time.’
THS road safety officer Paul James said letters to 14 properties along the road were sent out recently informing residents of the planned closure, with THS receiving nothing but positive feedback about the plans.
‘Rue de L’Arquet is used as a rat run by cars more than anything, and 50% of traffic on it is walkers and bikes anyway,’ he said.
‘If you’re driving to the school from Route de Felconte it takes about two minutes to reach Route des Adams and go up to the school on the main road.’
The closure is the second of its kind on the island following a similar initiative introduced at St Martin’s School in 2023, and Mr James did not rule out more closures near other schools if it was deemed appropriate.
‘Every school is unique and has its own challenges depending on what road the school is on and how big its catchment area is, but it’s something we look at a lot.’
St Peter’s senior constable Tim Langmead said the parish was fully behind the move.
‘Following the trial last year we discussed whether or not to make it permanent, and because the impact of the closure on vehicles is so minimal we supported the idea.
‘It encourages a safe passage up to the back entrance of the school for those taking part in the walking bus, and ultimately that’s what it’s all about, improving road safety.’
