Skip to content

Road closure encourages pupils to walk to school

BBC Scott Brooks, is wearing a blue coat with his initials on the bottom of it, with black tracksuit bottoms and a blue and red hat. Next to him on the right is Clare Wallace, wearing a hi-vis vest, green and blue scarf and a black coat. They're stood behind a black and yellow barrier with a green sign on it which reads 'road open to' followed by pictures of people walking, on scooters, on mobility scooters and bikes. Behind them is a residential street and empty road.BBC
Scott Brooks from Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership and head teacher Clare Wallace are behind the scheme

Parents are being encouraged to break the habit of driving to school and instead walk or cycle with their children under a new scheme.

Wembdon St George's School, working with Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership, has responded to concerns raised by residents by preventing school traffic from using Brantwood Road at drop-off and pick-up times.

The school, in the village of Wembdon, near Bridgwater, uses a temporary barrier to stop traffic and only allow pedestrians, bicycles and scooters onto the road

Head teacher Clare Wallace said the school had seen a difference since the trial began.

A road flanked by houses on either sound, bending from the bottom right corner into the middle of the shot and out in the distance. The sun is bright but low in the sky, and it is slightly misty. A tree is on the left hand side.
Brantwood Road in Wembdon is now closed to traffic at drop-off and pick-up times

Scott Brooks, from Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership, said: "Walking to school is a great way to start the day.

"It's healthier, provides great social interaction... it reduces emissions, so it's a great scheme all round."

As well as the health benefits, Ms Wallace said they wanted to reduce congestion on the narrow residential road outside the school.

"What we've already seen is absolute freedom for the children and their families to walk up and down the street without worrying about moving out of the way of cars trying to manoeuvre between them.

"We've also had lots of feedback from local residents - one gentleman said he felt like he'd been trapped inside his house for the last 10 years... and now he doesn't feel that way.

"Lots of families have been sharing concerns about safety... and are already saying 'well done to the school'."

The trial will run for six months, with similar projects also taking place in Frome, Otterhampton and Bruton.

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.

More on this story
Related internet links