Driving change Trial ban on motorists to start at schools

leigh.boobyer@reachplc.com

MOTORISTS will be banned from driving to the gates of three primary schools during peak hours from this September as part of a trial scheme.

The temporary move will effect the streets immediately outside of Kingsholm Primary, in Gloucester, Warden Hill Primary, in Cheltenham, and Tewkesbury Primary, starting in time for the new school term.

Gloucestershire County Council’s Conservative cabinet backed an opposition Liberal Democrat last week, which recommended a trial to ban cars from stopping on roads outside some of the county’s schools.

Senior councillors approved a budget of £100,000 to support traffic regulation orders, signage, lines, equipment and monitoring for the scheme.

The measure, otherwise known as ‘School Streets,’ is done to improve air pollution in neighbourhoods, encourage walking and cycling and it will also give more space for parents and children to social distance.

In a statement, Liberal Democrat councillor Iain Dobie, who has been turning cars away from travelling up to Warden Hill primary for a month as part of an unofficial scheme said: “We have witnessed increasing numbers of children walking and cycling to school and a reduction in air pollution at the school gate, as well as increased space for children and parents to socially distance with Covid-19 still present.

“I have no doubt that the trials will prove a success and I look forward to campaigning for the widespread adoption at any suitable school to keep all children safe on their way to school.”

Councillor Nigel Moor, cabinet member for environment on the county council, said in the meeting: “I did visit Warden Hill Primary School on two occasions and saw at first hand the way the scheme was working out.”

I have no doubt that the trials will prove a success

Councillor Iain Dobie