Roads to close around six Plymouth schools for 'no traffic' trials

People who need to drive to work after drop-off are being encouraged to 'ride and stride'

Roads outside six Plymouth primary schools will be closing to traffic in a bid to improve safety and encourage active travel.

The roads will be shut during pick-up and drop-off times in a series of one-day trials this month.

The ‘Safer School Streets’ trial, being run by Plymouth City Council in partnership with Sustrans, will take place between 17 and 24 November to coincide with the national Road Safety Week campaign.

School Streets are being adopted by a growing number of local authorities and schools across the UK to help tackle problem parking, improve road safety and encourage more people to think differently about how they travel to school.

Bristol Mayor's Park Street closure plans branded 'damaging' by opposition
'Officers nearly ran me off the road' - dashcam shows police car's near miss

Roads are closed to school-run and through traffic during drop-off and pick-up times to make it safer and easier for families to walk, cycle or scoot to school, as well as create a healthier street environment with cleaner air.

Access will still be possible for residents, parents and children with disabilities, the emergency services, deliveries and other service vehicles.

One-day trials are taking place at the following schools:

  • Wednesday 17 November: Mary Dean’s CE Primary (Mary Dean Avenue)

  • Thursday 18 November: Ernesettle Community School (Kenley Gardens)

  • Friday 19 November: Whitleigh Community Primary (Lancaster Gardens)

  • Monday 22 November: Stuart Road Primary (Palmerston Street)

  • Tuesday 23 November: Elburton Primary (Haye Road South)

  • Wednesday 24 November: St Paul’s RC Primary (Barne Lane)

The closures will be in place for around an hour in the morning and afternoon (times will vary from school to school but will be roughly around 8am to 9am and then 2pm to 3.30pm).

Families are being encouraged to walk, cycle or scoot to school or, if they need to drive to work, to ‘park and stride’ – where they park a five or 10 minute walk from the school and go the rest of the way by foot.

Councillor Jonathan Drean, Cabinet Member for Transport said: “Now more than ever we need to look at ways to reduce our carbon emissions and our impact on the environment, to help tackle climate change and leave our children a planet with cleaner air.

Roads will be closed during pick-up and drop-off Credit: Dave Thompson/PA

"That is why we are encouraging people to leave their cars at home for short journeys and to look at travelling by foot, bike and bus.

“One of the main ways we can help people travel actively is to provide a safe space to do it in – and that’s what Safer School Streets is all about.

"It also helps to tackle the many problems caused by school-run traffic, including conflict between motorists and other road users and access issues caused by inconsiderate parking, making school neighbourhoods safer for everyone.”

Ryan Evans, Sustrans Bike It Plus Officer, hopes longer-term trials could happen next year.

He said: These one-day trials are hopefully just the start. In 2022 we aim to put in place longer-term trials and consultation with schools, parents and residents that could lead to Plymouth’s first permanent Safer School Streets schemes.

"This would have huge benefits for road safety air quality and the health and wellbeing of children who would be able to choose to travel actively for their school journey."