More schools earmarked to become car-free zones

More Guernsey schools are set to have roads closed at drop-off and pick-up times

Plans to roll out temporary car-free zones outside more Guernsey schools have been given the go-ahead, its been announced.

It follows the introduction of the island's first school street, at St Martin's Primary.

Since March last year the street the school is on, Route Des Coutures, has been closed for 30 minutes every weekday during pick up and drop-off times.

Traffic and Highway Services (THS) said the move had improved safety outside the school, and boosted the numbers of parents, staff and pupils cycling and walking.

The announcement comes as the States released its annual report reflecting on improvements to on-island transport in 2023.

Colin Le Page, lead officer at THS said: "We are working with two or three other schools.

"I can't mention names at the moment because that is at the provisional stages, but there are definitely plans to roll this out to other schools.

"Officers from highways are also working on travel plans in conjunction with all primary schools to see what can be done in terms of infrastructure at the sites."

Mr Le Page said plans being discussed with headteachers include, "closing down some of the playgrounds where people might have parked before" to opening up space and "new crossing points".

"Safety is our priority and the core thing we want to build on", he said.

The school street scheme was launched after St Martin's Primary headteacher Clare Giles approached THS to see what could be done to improve safety outside the school.

She said children were concerned about risks during drop-off and pick-up times, as a result of narrow roads and a lack of pavements in the surrounding area.

The report also praised improvements to bus infrastructure and accessibility for vulnerable road users last year.

This included the creation of more dropped kerbs for pedestrians with visual impairments.

Vice-president of the Committee for the Environment and Instructure, Deputy Adrian Gabriel, said: "Particularly in times of economic restraint, it is really important that the community knows how public money is being spent.

"Highlighting these objectives and the achievements during 2023 helps people understand the goals that the States is working towards when it comes to our on-island travel and highlights a number of improvements that might otherwise be taken for granted."

A Better Transport plan for the north of the island - with the creation of new footpaths and cycling infrastructure, is set to be published in May.