Car-ban trial starts outside four schools

Road sign

A trial has started in Somerset banning cars from outside schools at school drop-off and pick-up times.

The Frome Safer School Streets Project, has been in the works since late-2021, and aims to provide safer walking and cycling route for pupils and parents to and from four schools in the western part of the town.

Amanda Seager, headteacher at Trinity First School, one of the four schools taking part in the trial, said there had been "near misses" in the past. As of Monday, key routes near four schools across Frome have been closed to traffic at pick-up and drop-off times and traffic in the surrounding areas is limited to 20mph (32kmh).

Frome is the first area in Somerset to test the zones, and it is hoped temporarily closing the streets will reduce traffic, improve air quality and encourage pupils to have a more healthy lifestyle.

'School run was chaotic'

Amanda Seager, one of the school's headteachers, says there were "near misses" before the scheme started

Ms Seager said there are just under 300 kids at her school and before the trial traffic during the school run was "chaotic".

"We have had some near misses. The last thing we want is something that is worst than a near miss," she said.

"If we can make this successful for our children, families and local residents then absolutely it has to be a positive thing that we are encouraging our children to come more actively to school, that we are reducing the amount of vehicles around our school site, and that we are promoting something positive."

She said she did not want neighbours to "experience difficulties", however because of the scheme.

Along with Trinity First, the other affected schools are Avanti Park School, Critchill School and Oakfield Academy.

New crossings and road signs are part of the road alterations, funded by the government.

'Safer for my son'

Amy Hamblin said it had made it safer for one of her sons to cycle to school but it had made it longer for her to drive her other son to his school

Amy Hamblin, who has two children at one of the affected schools, said: "It is safer for my son to cycle to school.

"It is a bit harder to get my other one to school because I drive. I used to be able to drop off quicker than I do now."

Lucy Marshal said: "It is definitely a lot quieter, fewer cars are around the school drop off time.

"We have to park a little bit further away now, but that is fine. We can walk the extra distance.

"I think they could have put in some pedestrian crossings, I think that might have been a good solution. And maybe a crossing lady?"

Jade Withers, lives in Frome and has two cycling children. She said: "I think it is great, it makes it much easier for them to be safe on the roads in the morning.

"There's a lot less traffic on the roads so far, it's all good."

Deputy clerk of Frome Town Council Peter Wheelhouse said the project was "primarily about safety"

Despite the traffic restrictions, emergency services, blue badge holders and council contractors will still be able to use the streets during these times.

Peter Wheelhouse, Deputy Town Clerk for Frome Town Council, said traffic might be pushed onto other local roads because of the restrictions but it expects that to "settle down after a while".

"It is primarily about safety, but it's also about health and wellbeing", he said.

"We know that the more people who get involved in walking and cycling, their health and wellbeing will be better. It is about addressing those concerns that the schools and other people had in the community right from the beginning."