Four Wiltshire primary schools will take part in a new School Streets pilot aimed at making the school run safer, healthier and less congested for children and families.
Wiltshire Council will introduce the schemes at Aloeric Primary School in Melksham, Fynamore Primary School in Calne, Minster Primary School in Warminster and Queen’s Crescent Primary School in Chippenham.
School Streets temporarily restrict through traffic on roads outside schools at the beginning and end of the school day during term time. The council says the measures are designed to improve safety, reduce congestion and encourage more families to walk, wheel or cycle to school.
The pilot follows a public consultation involving residents, businesses, families and school staff in the areas affected.
Staverton Primary School and Emmaus School in Staverton were also originally included in the consultation. However, concerns were raised about access for carers and deliveries and the two schools will not be included in the pilot at this stage.
All four schools taking part have volunteered to join the scheme.
The School Streets will be introduced under Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs), which come into effect on 4 September 2026. This means the measures can be tested in real-life conditions while residents, parents, schools, businesses and other members of the community continue to give feedback.
People will have 18 months to share their views before the council decides whether the schemes should become permanent. Vehicle restrictions will apply only for short periods at the start and end of the school day, with the exact times varying between schools. The restrictions will be enforced using automatic number plate recognition cameras.
Exemptions will be available for people who need access to the restricted areas, including residents, businesses and their employees, school staff, Blue Badge holders and residents or school users with a medical need.
School buses and licensed school taxis will be arranged with individual schools, while emergency services vehicles will be automatically exempt.
Cllr Martin Smith, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Highways, said, “School Streets are about creating safer, calmer environments for children and families at the busiest times of the school day. Following consultation and further work with schools and local communities, we are pleased to be taking forward a pilot at four schools across Wiltshire.
“This helps us meet the clear commitments in Our Wiltshire Plan to have safer roads and promote walking and cycling.
“Introducing the schemes through Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders gives people the opportunity to experience how they work in practice and share their views over an extended period. Feedback gathered during the trial will play an important role in helping us decide whether these measures should become permanent.”
Residents and others who qualify for an exemption permit can apply through the School Streets section of the Wiltshire Council website.
(Photo show the School Streets scheme in Bath)
