Toulouse. Rue du Tchad is pedestrianized during class entry and exit times.
In order to secure access to the Patte d’Oie school, rue du Tchad has become a “school street” since September 1st. From Monday to Friday, at class entry and exit times, the street is closed off to motor vehicle traffic for 45 minutes and “returned” to children. Only residents have a specific key assigned by the town hall can circular during these periods. This experiment set up as part of the traffic calming process, and more particularly with a view to securing the surroundings of schools, follows a consultation conducted by the municipality of Toulouse with the inhabitants of the district. The Patte d’Oie school, which has more than 270 pupils in primary school and more than 150 in kindergarten, is one of the 4 pilot sites for this experiment. “To get to school was hell, and during class councils, we alerted the neighborhood mayor several times,” explains a teacher.
Marianne accompanies students with disabilities (AESH). She welcomes the initiative. Many children, like myself and other members of staff, come on bicycles or scooters, not to mention toddlers in pushchairs. Morning and evening, it’s the highway, while the street and sidewalks are very narrow”, she testifies. A situation simplified by many parents of students. Lalia, mother of Nasreddin is now more serene, “especially the morning when there is the most traffic”, she says. If for some, the safety of children is priceless, 45 minutes of closing morning and evening, it is still too much for others. Marion and Philippe live in the neighborhood and take the rue du Tchad quite regularly to avoid the congestion of the Etienne Billières alleys. “We are going to have to go around and waste time”, they complain. Perhaps because they are not related .