Safer school streets trial 'on track' to launch in April
The 18-month trial will get going later this year in Frome
An 18-month 'Safer School Streets' trial is 'on track' to begin in April - with work getting underway later this month.
Sections of Oakfield Road and Nunnery Road in Frome will be closed to traffic during busy pick up and drop off times.
Contractor Northavon will be installing courtesy crossings, dropped kerbs, tactile paving and updated road markings, which will include patterns outside the schools to make it clear to drivers that they are entering a school zone.
Benches, cycle stands and planters will also be included on the route with all streets in the area becoming part of a new 20 mph zone.
It's hoped the scheme will encourage more active travel and improve the health and wellbeing of young people and their families - as well as reducing traffic, improving air quality and creating a 'safer and more pleasant environment for those travelling to and from school'.
During the trial, sections of Oakfield Road and Nunney Road will be closed to traffic between 08:10am – 09:00am and 2.45pm – 3.30pm, Monday – Friday during term time, and Park Road 8.25am – 8.55am and 3.00pm – 3.30pm.
Exemptions for public transport, blue badge holders, and residents will apply, whilst a 20mph limit will also be introduced along all roads in the School Streets area.
Cllr Carla Collenette said “It’s good to see the School Streets trial come about after three years of hard work by FTC and the project partners, Somerset Council and Sustrans. Safer Schools Streets zones operate successfully in other parts of the UK, with proven benefits for the health of young people, a reduction in air pollution and enhanced road safety.
“Frome's children have a right to walk or wheel to school safely, while breathing clean air. This is not possible at the moment, due to the sheer volume of traffic at school drop off and pick up times. There will be an initial trial period of 18months, and we will be working closing with the community to gather feedback that will inform the scheme’s long-term future."
All residents in the School Streets area will still be able to access their streets without restriction, along with buses, blue badge holders, emergency services, trades and delivery people.
Katie Fraser, Resilience Project Officer at Frome Town Council, has been working closely with all the School Streets schools to organise a calendar of fun, interactive events, including a recent BMX display with triple Guinness World Record holder and National BMX Champion Matti Hemmings.
She said: “We really want to engage all students in activities to promote active travel and get them excited about the direct benefits of the scheme. Morning exercise in natural daylight is proven to boost moods and improve focus, creativity, and productivity. Walking or wheeling to school is also fun, sociable, and free. It’s win, win!”
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. For more information, click here.