What happened when they tried it

Before trying a change, the group recorded what they expected it to do, good and bad, and who would report back. Each report is that person's own account.

Trial · expectations version 1

Willow Lane closes to through traffic from 8:20 to 9:00 and from 2:50 to 3:30 on school days, with deliveries, residents and blue badge holders exempt.

Expectations recorded 1 September 2026 by Amara, before the trial. Asked to report: Grace, Ruth, Tomasz and Amara. After the first weeks of the trial, which starts on 7 September.

Expected outcomes and what each person reported
What was expected	Grace	Ruth	Tomasz	Amara
Expected benefitFar fewer cars stop outside the gate at school times.	Observed	Not assessed	Observed	Awaiting report
Expected benefitMore children walk, scoot or cycle to school.	Unclear	Not assessed	Not assessed	Awaiting report
Possible harmSome traffic moves onto Mill Lane while Willow Lane is closed.	Not assessed	Observed	Not observed	Awaiting report

The reports

25Sep 2026

Grace · Has experienced the change

The gate has been calm for three weeks. Our morning count of cars stopping outside fell from about forty to six. More children are arriving on scooters, but it has been dry and warm, so I can't say yet whether that will last.

Observed Far fewer cars stop outside the gate at school times.Our gate count fell from about forty cars to six by the third week.
Unclear More children walk, scoot or cycle to school.The hands-up survey shows a rise, but the weather has been unusually good.
Not assessed Some traffic moves onto Mill Lane while Willow Lane is closed.I haven't been on Mill Lane at drop-off.

2Oct 2026

Ruth · Has experienced the change

In the first week there was a queue at the Mill Lane junction most mornings. It has eased since, but a few drivers still cut through fast at about twenty past eight.

Observed Some traffic moves onto Mill Lane while Willow Lane is closed.Queues at the junction most mornings in the first week, fewer since, and some fast cut-throughs.
Not assessed Far fewer cars stop outside the gate at school times.I don't go past the gate in the mornings.

6Oct 2026

Tomasz · Has experienced the change

The street outside is clear at drop-off, and mornings are busier on foot than I expected. Deliveries were awkward on the first day, until the marshals knew my van.

Observed Far fewer cars stop outside the gate at school times.The street outside the bakery is clear at drop-off.
Not assessed More children walk, scoot or cycle to school.I can't tell who is walking to school and who is passing.
Not observed Some traffic moves onto Mill Lane while Willow Lane is closed.I come in along Mill Lane at six and it is quiet then, but that is before the school run.

Still to report: Amara.

“Not observed” means that person did not see it, not that it cannot happen. “Unclear” and “Not assessed” keep the question open. A report does not by itself confirm a connection.