Residents in the Frome Safer School Streets area have heard that the installation of highway improvements will take place from the end of October through to December 2023. The trial will begin in Spring 2024.
Over the past two years, Frome Town Council has been working with active travel charity Sustrans to engage the local community in the design of a Safer School Streets project around Trinity, Critchill, Oakfield and Avanti schools.
The scheme comprises four elements:
- Short, timed vehicle restrictions will be in place outside the schools during term times. Residents, blue badge holders, buses and emergency services will be exempt from restrictions. Traffic between Nunney and Frome will be required to use the bypass at these times. The timed vehicle restrictions will be as follows:
| Location | Morning vehicle restriction times | Afternoon vehicle restriction times |
| Critch Hill (to Whitemill Lane) Oakfield Road (outside Oakfield Academy) Nunney Road (outside Trinity First School) | 8:10-9:00 | 2:45-3:30 |
| Park Road (up to Avanti Park School) | 8:25-8:55 | 3:00-3:30 |
- An extended 20mph zone across the residential area (see map below)
- Highway improvements including raised table crossings at junctions, planters and carriageway patterns outside the four schools.
- Upgrades to the National Cycle Network (NCN) route 24 along Somerset and Oakfield Road to create a safer environment for cycling.
The purpose of the Safer School Streets zone is to improve safety for everyone by encouraging active modes of travel while reducing traffic volume, traffic speed and improving air quality. Along with reducing road safety risks and improving air quality, active journeys to school are proven to have a positive impact on children’s physical and mental health.
Work on the installation will start at the end of October 2023 and the scheme will launch in Spring 2024. The scheme will be trialled for 18 months and during that time Frome Town Council will be monitoring the impact of the trial on vehicle volumes, active travel, and enjoyment of the neighbourhood. Ahead of the start of the scheme we are asking residents to complete a survey about their current travel behaviours and feelings about the area.
Whilst residents, blue badge holders, buses and emergency services will be exempt from restrictions we are asking residents to please fill in a short survey to let us know their thoughts: bit.ly/frometravelsurvey
Anybody unable to access it online should call in or ring through to Frome Town Hall where staff will be able to help.
You can find out more about the scheme on the Safer School Streets page.
The Schools Streets project is funded by Somerset Council’s Public Health team and Active Travel funding from the Department for Transport.
