School run traffic could be permanently banned from three South Gloucestershire streets in a bid to improve safety for pupils.
Kings Oak Academy in Kingswood, Abbotswood Primary School in Yate and Barley Close Community Primary School in Mangotsfield are all looking to trial the School Streets scheme in September.
Although the trial would only last 11 months until the end of July 2021, the restrictions could be made permanent if they are considered to be a success.
School Streets is a national scheme encouraging councils to restrict traffic outside schools, to prohibit motorised vehicles from entering the vicinity at drop-off and pick-up times.
It aims to create a safer and healthier environment by tackling pollution and dangerous congestion, and two Bristol schools started trialling the initiative back in February.
South Gloucestershire Council is now consulting on the proposals at the three schools above, and the trial will run from September 2020 until July 2021 if it goes ahead as planned.
A consultation document states the primary reason is to allow for better social distancing come September, but adds: "It is the council’s intention to introduce an experimental part time school street road closure with a view to permanently implement such measures in future."
The plan would see motorised vehicles prohibited at these locations between the following times, controlled by retractable bollards:
- Kings Oak: Part of Brook Road, between 8.25am-8.50am and 3pm-3.30pm
- Abbotswood: Part of Kelston Close, between 8.30am-9am and 2.45pm-3.30pm
- Barley Close: Part of Barley Close, between 8.30am-9.20am and 2.30pm-3.30pm
If the proposals go ahead, the trial will run from September 1 this year until July 31 next year.
Only pedestrians, cyclists and emergency vehicles would be allowed into the restricted area, and even residents in the affected area will be asked to avoid entering and leaving in their cars during those times.
Consultation documents state: "The lockdown response to the Covid-19 pandemic has led to people using vehicles less and taking daily exercise more.
"We have a unique opportunity to ‘lock in’ the benefits of active travel, reduced air pollution and reduced carbon emissions.
"Traffic was at the same level [during lockdown] as it was in the 1950s but is increasing daily and cycling in some locations is double pre-Covid 19 levels."
The consultation launched last week and comments can be made via the council's website until August 6.
Many communities elsewhere in the country have welcomed the School Streets initiative, but some people have raised concerns the restrictions will simply push traffic problems elsewhere, rather than deter families from driving on the school run.
