logo
Residents' views sought on school safety scheme

Residents' views sought on school safety scheme

Yahoo26-04-2025

Residents are being asked to share their views on an ongoing scheme designed to make it safer for children to walk and cycle to school.
The Frome Safer School Street scheme has been running since April 2024. Roads around the western part of the Somerset town are now subject to 20mph speed limits and closed to vehicles during pick-up and drop-off times.
The 18-month operational trial period for the scheme - which is being funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) - is due to expire at the end of October.
Frome Town Council will hold a public meeting at Oakfield Academy on 14 May to discuss whether the changes should become permanent.
The Safer School Street zones include the areas surrounding Oakfield Academy, Trinity First School, Critchill School and Avanti Park School.
It aims to provide a "safer, healthier and pleasant environment for everyone", with less congestion, better air quality and pupils being encouraged to have a more healthy lifestyle, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
The public consultation event will be attended by town council and Somerset Council representatives, along with officials from the government's active travel charity Sustrans.
"This scheme was designed in collaboration with the local community," said Matt Winfield, Sustrans' chief operating officer.
"It is really important that we check back in with residents to make sure that Frome's Safer School Streets scheme is enabling more children to walk, wheel and cycle to school more often."
Town councillor Carla Collenette added: "We hope lots of people can join us on 14 May or at the pop-up events and complete the online survey.
"The more respondents, the better and more complete the overall picture, so please do take the time to tell us your experience."
The Oakfield Academy event will be held from 17:00 until 18:30 BST.
Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
New safer schools scheme launched
Car-ban trial to promote safer school runs
Road closure encourages pupils to walk to school
Frome Town Council
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Sustrans

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

'Urban greening strategy' to phase out weed killer
'Urban greening strategy' to phase out weed killer

Yahoo

time20 hours ago

  • Yahoo

'Urban greening strategy' to phase out weed killer

A strategy to increase greenery in a bid to tackle climate change is set to be approved amid plans to phase out use of a controversial weed killer. As part of the Gloucester Urban Greening Strategy Gloucester City Council wants to plant more greenery to address the threat of climate change and extreme weather. Its cabinet will consider the strategy this week as it prepares to phase out the weed killer glyphosate, which can harm insect populations and biodiversity. The council hopes to harness the natural benefits of trees, green roofs, hedgerows, and green screens to help tackle climate change. More news stories for Gloucestershire Listen to the latest news for Gloucestershire Glyphosate is used in very small quantities across Gloucester and, if eaten in large amounts, can have health impacts on small mammals and pets, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Councillors may also decide to stop spraying the city centre where weeds are usually kept to a minimum due to high footfall. Feedback from residents will be considered and the move will be kept under review. However, the weed killer will still be used to manage obstructive growth or treat invasive and dangerous species, including Japanese knotweed. The strategy will also consider the introduction of rainwater gardens to collect excess surface water and reduce pressure on sewers during high rainfall. At a recent meeting, Alastair Chambers, Independent councillor, criticised the use of the "cancer-linked" weed killer. "This chemical, glyphosate, has been banned or heavily restricted in over 30 countries, including France, Germany and Austria," he said. "Yet here in Gloucester, the administration persists in spraying it on our streets and green spaces, ignoring mounting scientific concerns and international precedent." Sebastian Field, Liberal Democrat councillor, said his group is committed to phasing the chemical out. He said: "By reducing its use alongside our plans to increase the amount of green space in our city, we will do our bit to try to reduce the alarming decline in insect populations." Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Plans for shop signs to reflect city's 'heritage' Climbing zone at shopping centre gets go-ahead Gloucester City Council

'Urban greening strategy' to phase out weed killer
'Urban greening strategy' to phase out weed killer

Yahoo

time20 hours ago

  • Yahoo

'Urban greening strategy' to phase out weed killer

A strategy to increase greenery in a bid to tackle climate change is set to be approved amid plans to phase out use of a controversial weed killer. As part of the Gloucester Urban Greening Strategy Gloucester City Council wants to plant more greenery to address the threat of climate change and extreme weather. Its cabinet will consider the strategy this week as it prepares to phase out the weed killer glyphosate, which can harm insect populations and biodiversity. The council hopes to harness the natural benefits of trees, green roofs, hedgerows, and green screens to help tackle climate change. More news stories for Gloucestershire Listen to the latest news for Gloucestershire Glyphosate is used in very small quantities across Gloucester and, if eaten in large amounts, can have health impacts on small mammals and pets, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Councillors may also decide to stop spraying the city centre where weeds are usually kept to a minimum due to high footfall. Feedback from residents will be considered and the move will be kept under review. However, the weed killer will still be used to manage obstructive growth or treat invasive and dangerous species, including Japanese knotweed. The strategy will also consider the introduction of rainwater gardens to collect excess surface water and reduce pressure on sewers during high rainfall. At a recent meeting, Alastair Chambers, Independent councillor, criticised the use of the "cancer-linked" weed killer. "This chemical, glyphosate, has been banned or heavily restricted in over 30 countries, including France, Germany and Austria," he said. "Yet here in Gloucester, the administration persists in spraying it on our streets and green spaces, ignoring mounting scientific concerns and international precedent." Sebastian Field, Liberal Democrat councillor, said his group is committed to phasing the chemical out. He said: "By reducing its use alongside our plans to increase the amount of green space in our city, we will do our bit to try to reduce the alarming decline in insect populations." Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Plans for shop signs to reflect city's 'heritage' Climbing zone at shopping centre gets go-ahead Gloucester City Council

Slurry lagoon plans raise smell and access concern
Slurry lagoon plans raise smell and access concern

Yahoo

timea day ago

  • Yahoo

Slurry lagoon plans raise smell and access concern

Concerns have been raised over plans for a slurry lagoon in Cornwall. A Cornwall Council planning committee is set to review the application from Richard Best - which is seeking permission for an earth-banked slurry lagoon at a farm site in Hatt, near Saltash. The lagoon would provide up to five months of storage and lie approximately 280m (918.6ft) to the south west of the nearest neighbouring residential property, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The plans have been objected to by Botus Fleming Parish Council, which had concerns about the smell, potential contamination of a water course and highways impact. Slurry is a mixture of water and animal manure, which is spread on the land as a natural fertiliser. A council planning report said the scheme would not result in any significant adverse impacts to the living conditions currently enjoyed by neighbours and had been earmarked for approval. In its objection, Botus Fleming Parish Council said it was not clear how the slurry would be transported to the site. The land is just off the A388, but concerns about large tankers driving down narrow rural roads locally used by walkers, horse riders and other motorists were raised by the council. It added residents currently suffered from the stench of slurry across the wider farming site. "They suffer headaches and coughs from the air pollution that is generated around their homes, their eyes sting and they have good reasons to fear the long-term consequences for their health," the council said. More news stories for Cornwall Listen to the latest news for Cornwall An odour impact assessment had been submitted and the council's public protection team had raised no objections from a consultation. The Cornwall Wildlife Trust has also been consulted as the site is near the Villaton Wood County Wildlife Site, with the charity making recommendations to ensure wildlife is protected during construction. The Environment Agency (EA) had no objection to the plans, which it said would ensure the farm operated with sufficient storage for slurry. "Nonetheless, the proposal must operate in accordance with the relevant regulations," the agency added. Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Warning as slurry pollutes stream near beach Cows rescued from slurry pit in Cornwall Shetland pony rescued from slurry pit Cornwall Council

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store