Schools make traffic restriction schemes permanent

Vehicle restrictions outside two schools in the Bradford district are to be made permanent.

Wilsden Primary School and Girlington Primary School began a trial of the School Street scheme in September 2024.

A School Street stops traffic access at the start and end of the school day to improve safety, reduce congestion and encourage people to walk or cycle to school.

With these additions, the the number of permanent School Streets across Bradford will rise to 10.

Signs at the entry points to the streets notify drivers of the timed restrictions, but residents and businesses will receive a permit allowing them to enter and leave the area.

Blue badge holders, emergency vehicles and utility providers on emergency calls are exempt.

Parents and carers with longer journeys to school are encouraged to park further away and walk the final part of their trip.

Liz Davison, executive head teacher at Wilsden Primary School, said the scheme had gone from a "challenging adjustment to a real community success".

"Although families initially had to rethink travel routines and parking habits, the benefits have quickly become clear."

She said these included reduced congestion and a drop in dangerous driving and parking, while rates of cycling and scooting to school have increased.

Kathryn Swales, head teacher at Girlington Primary School, said before the trial the environment outside school was "chaotic and unsafe".

"Now the street outside feels calm and safe which makes a huge difference to the start and the end of the day for both parents and their children."

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