A pilot scheme by BCP Council aimed at restricting traffic and parking outside four local schools during peak times is being rolled out permanently.
The ‘School Streets’ initiative was introduced in spring last year at Hamworthy Park Juniors and St Michael’s Church of England Primary, as well as Livingstone Road Infant and Juniors and St Clement’s & St John’s Church of England Infant schools, with the aim of enhancing safety and encouraging active travel.
The recent trial saw roads directly outside the schools closed to motorised traffic each day throughout the school week at peak drop-off and pick-up times, with exceptions made for residents living within the closed road and blue badge holders.
The results show an 11.5 per cent rise in parents and carers opting to leave their cars at home and either walk, cycle or scoot and 92 per cent requesting the scheme be introduced on a full-time basis.
Around 80 per cent of those surveyed also revealed they felt much safer outside their respective schools during the period the pilot was rolled out.
Cllr Millie Earl, BCP Council’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Connected Communities, said: “We’re delighted the School Streets pilot has been so successful and popular with our participating schools, parents and children.
“It’s achieved our ambition of creating safer spaces around school sites and encouraged more people to seek alternative ways of travelling.
“Due to its success, we’re now trialling the scheme at two other schools across the local area this academic year and more in the future, where we hope for more great results.”