Residents' views sought on school safety scheme
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
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour 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
Yahoo
2 hours 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
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Residents oppose sheltered housing plan
Concerns have been raised over plans to turn a former care home into sheltered accommodation. New Walk CIC is turning the site on Burlam Road in Middlesbrough into supported housing for vulnerable individuals in the town. Some residents said there had been a lack of consultation, while others have raised fears about possible crime or anti-social behaviour. New Walk CIC said the site would have 24-hour staffing and it welcomed any constructive objections from residents, businesses and elected members. Middlesbrough mayor Chris Cooke said that as the care home already had a level of planning permission, a new planning application was not required for the sheltered accommodation. He said he found this "difficult", adding: "Regardless of the legalities around the planning requirements, it's up to the companies to make sure that they engage with the residents nearby and make sure that they do consultation openly." Local resident, Thelma Clark, 57, said the lack of consultation was "outrageous" and that she worried site would impact local house prices. Another, Eric Holland, 58, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he was worried about an increase in burglaries in the area if the project went ahead. Jane Jorgensen, 62, said: "We should know what's on our doorstep." New Walk CIC said it had been working on the project since April 2023 and had been in extensive consultation with Middlesbrough Council over the plans. The location of the project was changed in June 2024 after a previous site fell through. "Support for the new location was secured from the local authority before proceeding," a spokesperson said. They said each resident would have a support worker and that the site would help vulnerable individuals. Middlesbrough Council said it was committed to helping homeless and vulnerable people and that there were was a need for more supported accommodation. "We are working closely with the provider at the new facility, who are committed to ensuring its residents engage with the wider community in a positive way," they said. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Care home in special measures for breaching rules Middlesbrough Council New Walk CIC
