New safer schools scheme launched

The new scheme will make it safer for children to walk to school

A new trial is about to get under way to make it easier for children in a part of Somerset to cycle and walk to school.

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

Numerous alterations to several streets are being undertaken ahead of an 18-month trial which begins later this month.

Once the trial is under way, a number of key routes near the schools will be closed to traffic at pick-up and drop-off times – and traffic in the surrounding areas will be limited to 20mph.

Frome is the first area in Somerset to trial the zones, which will see school streets hit with temporary restrictions on vehicles at drop-off and pick-up times.

By closing off these streets, a "safer, healthier and pleasant environment for everyone" is created, with less congestion, better air quality and pupils being encouraged to have a more healthy lifestyle, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The 20mph limits will be extended across western parts of the town

The Department for Transport is picking up the bill, with the funding covering the road alterations and an extension of the 20mph zone in the west of Frome.

There will also be new crossings and road signs as art of the upgrades.

The affected schools are:

• Avanti Park School on Park Road

• Critchill School on Nunney Road

• Oakfield Academy on Oakfield Road

• Trinity Church of England First School on Nunney Road

Despite the traffic restrictions, emergency services, blue badge holders and council contractors will be among the vehicles that will be able to continue to use the streets during the allotted times.

Roadworks have been in place around the schools up to and including 10 April, and weekday road closures will follow, during term time, when the trial begins on 22 April. They include the following:

• Critchill will be closed between Oakhill Road and Whitemill Lane between 8:10am and 9am and between 2:45pm and 3:30pm.

• Oakhill Road will be closed between Broadway and the crossroads with Nunney Road between 8:10am and 9am and between 2:45pm and 3:30pm

• Park Road will be completely closed between 8:25am and 8:55am and between 3pm and 3:30pm.

• Whitemill Lane will be completely closed between 8:10am and 9am and between 2:45pm and 3:30pm.

New road markings and crossings will be put in place

In response to the trial, Avanti Park headteacher Abby Atkins said: "Our position next to a well-used play park, and on a cul-de-sac, means traffic volume and turning vehicles pose a significant danger, as well as making it less safe for pupils to arrive at school on foot, or on wheels.

"We know people's needs and challenges vary, but we hope our school community will respond positively and give the 18-month Safer School Streets trial the best possible chance of success."

While the trial is ongoing, residents will have opportunities to give their feedback, and in the summer and autumn of 2025, the trial will be formally reviewed, with the town council deciding whether the changes will be made permanent.

A spokesman said: "We will review the trial and decide, with the community, whether the Safer School Street zone should be a permanent fixture.

"It is key residents engage with the plans and share their local knowledge and feedback to deliver safer streets for our whole community."