Ban cars Packed pavements and busy roads at school prompt plea
APARENT in Cheltenham has demanded Gloucestershire County Council bans cars outside her child’s school during peak times.
She wants the authority to enforce the School Streets initiative, a scheme under which drivers who flout the rules during the morning and afternoon school run can be fined.
While dropping off her child at Leckhampton Cofe Primary School, Councillor Angie Boyes (LD, Charlton Kings) snapped a picture of the streets and pavements surrounding the entrance.
The photo which was taken at 8.44am on Wednesday, September 2, appears to show packed pavements and cars navigating the nearby junction.
Mrs Boyes said on Twitter: “NEVER seen a stronger case for School Streets [Initiative] in @Gloscc than Leckhampton today.
“[Hundreds] of parents and children couldn’t fit on pavements forcing children and parents onto road or squashed together on pavements not allowing for any social distancing.”
The council will be piloting the School Streets Initiative outside three schools in the county after the October half-term.
Fines will be handed out to those drivers in the immediate vicinity of schools taking part in the scheme for 30 to 60 minutes during pick-up and drop-off times.
Leckhampton Cofe Primary School said the school has since introduced staggered starts for children and multiple managed access points.
A spokesperson for Gloucestershire County Council, said: “School Streets are exciting projects which aim to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and increase active travel.
“We currently have three schools taking part in the trial and we’ll take feedback and learn from these.
“While carrying out the school streets trial we are still more than happy to help other schools with their school travel plans.”
Schools taking part in the trial scheme are Kingsholm Primary, in Gloucester, Warden Hill Primary, in Cheltenham, and Tewkesbury Primary, in Tewkesbury.