Release date: 27 July 2023
New schemes to encourage pupils and their families to make active and sustainable travel choices for the school run have been given the go ahead.
The three School Street Trial Schemes prohibit motor vehicles entering the road directly at the school gates at drop-off and pick-up times, with exceptions for residents’ vehicles, businesses, Blue Badge holders, emergency services and certain others. Initially, West Sussex County Council, supported by transport charity Sustrans, is working in partnership with three schools to introduce the experimental schemes at:
- Arundel Primary School, Jarvis Road, Arundel – with motor vehicles prohibited between 8am to 9am and 3pm to 4pm
- Swiss Gardens Primary School, Swiss Gardens, Shoreham – motor vehicles prohibited between 8am to 9am and 2.30pm to 3.30pm. NB: buses are among permitted vehicles in this instance.
- Thomas A Becket Junior School, Glebeside Avenue, Worthing – motor vehicles prohibited between 8am to 9am and 2.30pm to 3.30pm
The trial will run from 4 September 2023 until 4 March 2024, with constant monitoring using sensors. There has already been extensive internal and external consultation and an open public engagement survey will be available for the entire trial period, closing on 31 May 2024.
Cllr Joy Dennis, the County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, has approved the trial schemes, subject to the council’s usual call in period.
Cllr Dennis said: “I’m pleased to give the go-ahead for these trial, school-led initiatives which aim to improve safety for vulnerable road users and encourage families to leave the car at home and choose active and sustainable travel options.
“I would urge people to make use of the online survey and tell us what they think of the schemes, which align with the ambitions of Our Council Plan and West Sussex Transport Plan in supporting active travel.”
Signs publicising the new restrictions and timings will be installed at the entrances to each School Street and monitoring equipment used to gather data from before and during the trial.
After the trial, all data for each site will be reviewed and presented to the Cabinet Member, who will then decide if a scheme should be made permanent, amended or removed.
