Wiltshire Council is inviting residents to share their views on a new School Streets trial aimed at creating safer and cleaner environments for children travelling to and from school.
The scheme, which temporarily restricts motor vehicle access during school drop-off and pick-up times in term time, will be the subject of a public consultation running from Monday 3 November until Sunday 15 December. Feedback from the consultation will help shape the trial before it begins, with the rollout expected after the Easter holidays in 2026.
Each of the five trial areas will operate for around 12 months before a decision is made on whether to make the changes permanent. The project aims to improve road safety, encourage walking and cycling, and reduce pollution around six participating primary schools across Wiltshire.
Research from similar schemes elsewhere in the UK has shown that School Streets can make pupils feel safer and significantly reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.
The six schools taking part in the Wiltshire trial are:
-
Fynamore Primary School, Calne
-
Minster CofE Primary School, Warminster
-
Queen’s Crescent Primary School, Chippenham
-
Aloeric Primary School, Melksham
-
Staverton Primary School and Emmaus School, Staverton
Residents living within the affected streets, as well as emergency services, will receive exemptions to travel through the restricted zones. Other exemptions, such as for Blue Badge holders and school buses, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Further information about the consultation will be shared later this month.
For more details about the School Streets programme, visit School Streets – Wiltshire Council.
