Safer streets scheme to launch in Frome
The 18-month trial, making it safer for people to travel to and from school, is set to launch in the spring
A 'Safer Streets' scheme is launching in Frome next year on an 18 month trial.
It follows two years of development for the project, which has now reached the final stages of sign-off with the highways team at Somerset Council.
The scheme, which provides an area that limits vehicle access during school pick-up and drop-off times, is hoped to make it safer for people to come to and from school on foot, by bike or by scooter.
The Frome scheme includes Trinity School, Critchill School, Oakfield Academy, Avanti Park, and Bright Stars nursery.
Construction work is due to begin in Autumn 2023, and it will be followed by an 18-month trial of the scheme beginning in Spring 2024 thanks to further investment from Sustrans, who look after the National Cycle Network, allowing for a 'quiet way' to be built along the Somerset and Oakfield roads.
It's the first of a number of School Streets planned across Somerset and also introduces an extended 20 mile an hour zone, whilst all residents who live in the Safer School Streets area will still be able to access their street without restriction as will buses and people with disabilities.
'Somerset Council is committed to improving active travel provision'
Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Transport and Digital, Councillor Mike Rigby said: “We are really pleased to support this important scheme which will deliver a safe cycling, walking and wheeling route to school for a significant number of children and parents and will cut down on congestion and traffic during peak drop-off and pick-up times.
“Somerset Council is committed to improving active travel provision for people across the county and this trial will form an important part of that aim. We want to maximise opportunities for children to walk, cycle or wheel to school. The benefits are huge - both in terms of creating cleaner, greener streets, and in supporting children’s health and wellbeing.”
Families will be encouraged to walk, cycle or wheel to school, whilst those who do need to travel by car will be able to do so and park a short distance from the schools to drop off their children safely.
During the trial, Frome Town Council and Somerset Council will monitor traffic numbers, ways of travel and air quality, whilst schools, pupils, parents and residents will also be consulted in a bid to assess the impact of the scheme.
The local authority will then decide on whether or not the scheme should be made a permanent fixture.
'Doing nothing is simply not an option'
Frome Town Council are working closely with the schools involved in the trial to support active travel through a series of activities, building on successful Active Travel Challenges over previous years.
Frome Town Councillor Carla Collenette said: “The Safer School Streets scheme has been developed over two years with significant engagement with the local community. Parents currently dropping off their children in this area will be very aware of the safety issues and chaos caused by traffic at the school gates.
"Doing nothing is simply not an option. We are emphasising that this is a trial, and we will continue to listen closely to people’s views and monitor the impact of the scheme over the 18-month period. My hope is it encourages many more families to walk and cycle if they can, and that this will make the roads safer, calmer and more enjoyable for everyone.”
The final designs of the scheme will be available on Frome Town Council’s website once they have been signed off by Somerset Highways.
You can read the FAQs about the Safer School Streets project here.