Wiltshire Council launches school street safety pilot

Wiltshire Council is launching a ‘School Streets’ pilot program starting September 4 to improve safety and reduce congestion around primary schools. The initiative will restrict vehicle access during school pick-up and drop-off times to encourage walking, cycling, and scooting among families while tackling air pollution.

The pilot will involve four volunteer schools: Fynamore Primary School in Calne, Minster CofE Primary School in Warminster, Queen's Crescent Primary School in Chippenham, and Aloeric Primary School in Melksham. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras will monitor the restricted zones to enforce the rules.

Exemptions will be provided for emergency services, Blue Badge holders, residents living within the zones, business owners, school staff, and individuals with specific medical needs. Pre-agreed school transport, such as licensed taxis and buses, may also be permitted if arranged in advance. Staverton Primary School and Emmaus School will not participate in the trial following concerns regarding access for deliveries and carers.

The restrictions are being introduced under Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs). This process allows for an 18-month period to gather feedback and assess the impact before a final decision is made on whether to make the measures permanent.