THE 18-month Safer School Streets pilot in Frome began on Monday 22nd April, with timed road closures around Trinity First School, Oakfield Academy and Critchill School, and Park Road leading up to Avanti Park School at school pick-up and drop-off times.
Head of design and engineering for the South of England at Sustrans, Flo Marshall, said, “Sustrans is delighted to see this Safer School Streets scheme become reality, creating street environments that prioritise people over motor traffic.
“Safer School Streets can and should be about more than simply managing traffic. They create opportunities for everyone to get around more easily and safely, whether that be walking, wheeling, or cycling. They create space for children to have greater social interaction, places to stop and rest, plants and trees for biodiversity, reduce vehicle dominance, and create streets that are not just safer for children but safer for everyone.
“These proposals have been collaboratively designed with the community since autumn 2021 and reflect local people’s aspirations for a safer school run and improved streets. Research* shows that most parents and local residents support the idea of school streets, and this support usually grows after any trial period.”
Frome town councillor Carla Collonette said, “The Safer School Streets trial has come to fruition after three years of hard work by the project partners Sustrans, Somerset Council and Frome Town Council, and we now hope to see it succeed. The priority is greater safety for young people travelling to school and although we understand that the trial presents challenges for some, we hope everyone will approach it with an open mind. It’s a trial and we are keen to hear your views; there will be opportunities to feedback via public meetings and the online survey, or by emailing engage@frometowncouncil.gov.uk.”
During the Safer School Streets trial, roads will be closed from the junction of Broadway and Oakfield Road to the junction with Nunney Road, including the crossroads. Critch Hill and Whitemill Lane will also be closed from 8.10am to 9am and 2.45pm to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, in term time.
In addition, Park Road will be closed from 8.25am to 8.55am and 3pm to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday in term time. There are exemptions for: blue badge holders; parents/guardians of pupils with an Education Health and Care plan; school staff; access to residential properties within the restricted zone; healthcare workers; users of Harry’s Hydrotherapy Pool; school and public transport; emergency services; postal services; utilities; highway maintenance and street cleansing and waste collection.
The Frome Safer School Streets trial is a collaboration between active travel charity Sustrans, Somerset Council and Frome Town Council and joins hundreds of similar schemes in the UK and Europe. In addition to the timed road closures, a new 20mph zone will apply across a wider area, and traffic-calming measures have been added to the roads around the zone.
There will be opportunities to feedback about the trial at a series of consultation events throughout 2024, plus an online survey, which will be published in early June. Residents can send queries to engage@frometowncouncil.gov.uk at any time. Information about the trial can be found at https://bit.ly/safer-school-streets-24.
