RESIDENTS in the Frome Safer School Streets area have heard that the installation of highway improvements will take place from the end of October through to December with a trial beginning in spring 2024.
Over the past two years, Frome Town Council has been working with active travel charity, Sustrans, to engage the local community in the design of a Safer School Streets project around Trinity, Critchill, Oakfield and Avanti schools.
Mayor of Frome, Philip Campagna, said, “This is an ambitious project but I am delighted that after several years we have agreed a final design and can start work. Whilst it is being put in now, the scheme won’t start until the spring and we are asking residents who live in the area and parents with children at the participating schools to complete a survey. This will help us establish a baseline for current travel patterns and be part of the measurements for success of the trial when it happens. So please get involved and have your say.”
The scheme comprises four elements:
1: Short, timed vehicle restrictions will be in place outside the schools during term times. Residents, blue badge holders, buses and emergency services will be exempt from restrictions. Traffic between Nunney and Frome will be required to use the bypass at these times. The timed vehicle restrictions will be as follows:
– Critch Hill (to Whitemill Lane)
– Oakfield Road (outside Oakfield Academy)
– Nunney Road (outside Trinity First School)
Morning vehicle restriction times:
8:10am to 9am
Afternoon vehicle restriction times:
2:45pm to 3:30pm
– Park Road (up to Avanti Park School)
Morning vehicle restriction times: 8:25am to 8:55am
Afternoon vehicle restriction times:
3pm to 3:30pm
2: An extended 20mph zone across the residential area (a map can be viewed on the Frome Town Council website) https://www. frome towncouncil.gov.uk
- Highway improvements including raised table crossings at junctions, planters and carriageway patterns outside the four schools.
- Upgrades to the National Cycle Network (NCN) route 24 along Somerset and Oakfield Road to create a safer environment for cycling.
“The purpose of the Safer School Streets zone is to improve safety for everyone by encouraging active modes of travel while reducing traffic volume, traffic speed and improving air quality,” says a spokesperson for Frome Town Council. “Along with reducing road safety risks and improving air quality, active journeys to school are proven to have a positive impact on children’s physical and mental health.
