Residents’ views on Frome’s Safer School Streets initiative – launching this summer

AS Frome prepares for the launch of the Safer School Streets initiative, some residents have shown support for the scheme, but others have asked whether this will be an effective way of reducing traffic whilst keeping children safe in the town.

The nationwide School Streets scheme aims to reduce traffic, improve air quality and create a safer and more pleasant environment for those travelling to and from school. It is hoped that this will encourage more active travel and improve the health and wellbeing of young people and their families.

The scheme will launch as an 18-month trial in the summer term in April, which will see sections of Oakfield Road, Nunney Road and Critch Hill be closed to traffic between 8.10am to 9am and 2.45pm to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday during term time, and Park Road from 8.25am to 8.55am and 3pm to 3.30pm again during term time.

To find out what residents thought of the scheme, Frome Times spoke to some members of the public.

“A while ago, my child went to Oakfield School and as a parent and as a driver, I would say this seems like a reasonable thing to be doing for our kids in the town, but I can also understand that it can probably cause tension with people who aren’t parents,” explained one resident. “I do think it is a way of keeping our kids safe.”

Exemptions for public transport, blue badge holders and residents will apply during the scheme and a 20mph limit will also be introduced along all roads in the Safer School Streets area.

As well as these road markings, benches, cycle stands and planters will also be included on the routes.

The resident added, “My son had a moment outside school years ago. When they are walking in large groups, they can sometimes forget their spatial awareness and if they have hoods up or headphones in, problems can happen. I support this around the schools.”

Another resident who supports the scheme as an effective way to reduce traffic build-up said, “I think this is a good idea. It can be chaos at school drop-off and pick-up times. It’s not far, why can’t everyone walk?”

Concerns

Some residents have shared concerns about the scheme on social media around the importance of children learning about road safety. Others have shared concerns around what impact the scheme will have on the displacement of traffic around other areas of the town.

At the full town council meeting on Wednesday 21st February, a resident attended to share concerns and ask the council about the scheme, saying it seems to work well in bigger areas, such as cities where the schools are based in the centre.

“Frome is a completely different kettle of fish,” said the resident. “I think the questions that need to be asked of safer school streets in Frome are different to the questions that need to be asked of a city.

“Avanti [school] is different, Trinity, Critchill and Oakfield are all on the outskirts of Frome, which means that anybody going there has to go through Frome to get to these schools. With the exception of a couple of years at Oakfield, all the children, Bright Stars, Critchill, Trinity children have to be accompanied by an adult, they are too young to go on their own.

“They cannot cycle to school or if they do, it means parents have to be cycling with them, which poses other questions as well. I do love the idea of children exercising and being free and getting air in their hair…so I am not shutting you down on that.”

Public consultation

During the meeting, Frome Town Council’s resilience project officer, Katie Fraser, said the majority of residents who took part in the public consultation were in support of the scheme, with a ‘minority’ of residents against it.

Cllr Max Wide said, “There are something like 27,000 people in Frome and 28,000 cars registered. There are no easy choices around this stuff, somebody is going to be inconvenienced hugely, whatever we do.

“I accept the fact that much of the evidence comes from the cities, but this is equally quite a congested place. I reiterate my support for the scheme. Overall [it is] absolutely the right thing to do.”

After the meeting, a spokesperson for Frome Town Council said, “The survey was sent to every pupil’s parents at Oakfield, Trinity, Critchill and Avanti School through their newsletters and to all the residents in the affected streets.

“Both surveys had similar levels of support and concern when asked if they were in favour of the scheme. Of the parents who responded, 53% were in favour of the school, 28% were not in favour and 19% were undecided.

“Of the residents who responded, 51% were in favour, 33% were not and 17% were undecided. Almost all of the feedback acknowledged how difficult the situation is at the moment and expressed the need for positive traffic calming measures and improved safety for children travelling around school hours.

“Those who oppose the scheme feel strongly about it, some suggesting that the scheme is a waste of funding, that Frome is not a large enough town to enforce such an initiative and that it will cause more problems rather than solve, whilst acknowledging that safety is an issue at school drop-off times where they live.”

Enforcement

A question was also asked at last month’s full town council meeting by cllr Adam Boyden about how the scheme will be enforced. Frome Town Council’s economic, development and regeneration manager, Peter Wheelhouse, said residents are being encouraged to voluntarily observe these restrictions. “At the moment, what we are relying on is for people to voluntarily monitor this,” he explained.

“We will have people on the streets at the start of the trial. The PCSOs have offered their support and colleagues at Sustrans [have as well]. Initially, it’s about advice, guidance and support and providing information where necessary. We hope that people observe these restrictions in the interest of young people.”

Frome Town Council has worked with active travel charity Sustrans and Somerset Council to bring Safer Schools Streets to Frome, with funding from the Department for Transport.

A spokesperson for Frome Town Council said, “The scheme is grant-funded. Residents and parents and carers will have the opportunity to feedback on their experiences throughout the trial, while the measurements of success are reviewed.”