Car-free zone outside school made permanent

The road outside St Martin's School will be closed at pick-up and drop-off times during term times

A traffic ban outside Guernsey's largest primary school during pick-up and drop-off times will be made permanent following a 12-month trial.

The trial began at St Martin's School in March last year after requests from parents and pupils.

Route Des Coutures will be closed to traffic, except for cyclists and vehicles accessing properties, on weekdays from 8:30-9:00 and 14:45-15:15.

Clare Giles, head teacher, said: "It's wonderful for pupils to see that they can make a positive change in their community now and for generations to come."

'Improving safety'

Mrs Giles said pupils had "raised concerns about the safety risks they had encountered during pick-up and drop-off times".

"Most importantly, our pupils and their parents or carers now feel safer travelling to and from school," she said.

Paul James, Traffic and Highway Services road safety officer, said: "Improving safety for all road users, particularly vulnerable road users, is one of our top priorities.

"With any changes to our roads, it's important to check that new measures will work well, so it's been helpful to see this school street in action over this trial period, but it's good to now be able to move forward with this permanent positive change for the benefit of the local community."