Residents have continued to air their views about the Safer School Streets trial, which is due to end in October this year.
The initiative, launched in April 2024 as an 18-month trial, has seen timed road closures around Trinity First School, Oakfield Academy, Critchill School and Park Road leading up to Avanti Park School during school pick-up and drop-off times.
In addition to the timed road closures, a new 20mph zone has been applied across a wider area and traffic-calming measures have been added to the roads around the zone, including ground markings and planters.
However, residents have continued to share a mixed response about the scheme; some say they are experiencing a ‘continued problem’ as the traffic issues are being ‘pushed’ onto other streets, with residents’ driveways being blocked.
One resident said, “A steady stream of parents are using nearby cul-de-sacs to drop off their children by car, blocking in residents and causing a build-up of traffic. I spoke to someone else who had found this a continuing frustration, with problems getting out of their own driveway on a daily basis.”
However, the resident said she has spoken with others who have also reported the ‘positive’ impact the scheme is having on families and children around school drop-off and pick-up times.
She said, “It is clear on school day mornings that some parents and children have taken on board positive changes in the way they choose to travel to school. Groups of families are visible as they meet up to walk from Lansdown Place and other areas.
“Another parent I spoke with at Avanti Park School reported there are now nine large family electric bikes parked outside the school in the mornings.”
Frome’s mayor, Cllr Anita Collier, said Frome Town Council takes the concerns about traffic displacement ‘seriously’ and that it is aware that some residents have raised concerns.
She said, “While the Safer School Streets scheme has led to a noticeable reduction in overall traffic levels across the zone helping to make the roads safer for children and families, we know that some residents – particularly those on the Critchill Estate – have raised concerns about increased congestion and inconsiderate driving.
“Nobody should be blocking driveways, mounting pavement or creating hazards for others. If the scheme becomes permanent, enforcement and tackling poor driving behaviour will need to be a central focus and we will continue to raise these issues with the relevant authorities.
“Ultimately, the decision on whether the scheme is made permanent lies with Somerset Council. We will bring a report to our council, most likely in October, with a recommendation based on the feedback gathered and the impact observed so far. We remain committed to ensuring this process reflects the views of residents, schools and families.”
The Safer School Streets Scheme joins hundreds of similar schemes in the UK and Europe and, in Frome, is a collaboration between Somerset Council, Frome Town Council and active travel charity Sustrans.
