Purpose

To proceed with school streets in certain
areas.

Decision

(1) 
Subject to the full
Traffic Regulation (TRO), to approve in principle schemes at St
Phillips Primary School, Widcombe Infant and Primary School and St
Stephens Primary School.
 
(2) 
To approve delegated
authority for the Director of Place Management to accept future
grant funding for these schools or any future grant funding for any
other School Streets projects.
 
(3) 
To note that with
respect to the school street scheme for the Lyme Road and Charmouth
Road LN area and with reference to previous SMD E3494, there are
some changes because of further technical work and
consultation.
 
The Council is proposing:
 
· 
A school street at the
top of Charmouth Road (north of the Lyme Road junction) with timed
restrictions at drop-off and pick-up for
most vehicles
· 
A one-way route
(eastwards) requiring all motorists and
cyclists to enter via Lyme Gardens and exit via Charmouth Road.
This is a change from the previous proposal which proposed the
one-way route to be westwards i.e. motorists to
enter from Charmouth Road and exit Lyme Gardens
· 
Three continuous
crossings, including two over the junctions with the A4 Newbridge
Road and one at the junction of Lyme Road with Charmouth Road. To
improve visibility, up to 4 parking spaces would be
removed.
· 
Cyclists would be
required to follow the one-way route.
 
These improvements will mean:
 
· 
Safer, calmer and less
congested environment at school pick-up and drop-off
· 
Slower traffic and
safer crossing facilities
· 
Improved traffic flow
and reduced conflict between road users
· 
Priority for those
walking, wheeling or cycling
 
It is proposed that the school street scheme will be
introduced via a traffic regulation order (TRO) which will be
consulted upon in December 2025.

Reasons for the decision

School Streets aim to improve the environment directly
outside schools at the start and end of the school day by
restricting access for most of the
motorised vehicle traffic.
 
School Streets will contribute to the meeting the aims of
the Journey to Net Zero and to delivering the Corporate
Strategy:
 
· 
Preparing for the
future – the schemes would support residents to make travel
choices that have a positive impact on the environment.
· 
Delivering for
local residents – they would
provide facilities that give priority and support to active
travel.
· 
Focusing on prevention
– the schemes would support people to choose active travel,
promoting better health with the potential to contribute towards
improved air quality.
 
More travel choices – as part of the wider
programme to deliver improved
sustainable transport across B&NES, the schemes would
contribute towards providing alternatives to private car
use.

Alternative options considered

Not to progress any school streets: this
option was rejected as delivery of school streets is a Cabinet
Member commitment.