Trial of new School Street set for summer term

A School Street trial is set to take place at Castel Primary School following previous successful rollouts across the island.

School Streets aim is to encourage pupils to travel to school by foot or bike, reducing the number of cars on the roads.

The scheme would take place along sections of Ruette de la Generotte and Rue de la Masse, the States of Guernsey said.

The informal trial would begin Tuesday 14 April, when the summer school term startsed, and was planned to run until at least Friday 8 May, it added.

The States said the sections of road would be closed to most traffic on weekdays between 08:15-9:00 BST and 14:45-15:30, except for cyclists, school buses and those accessing properties.

Officials States said: "This specific School Street scheme will provide uninterrupted pedestrian access to the footpaths leading to Saumarez Park and beyond to the east, the Les Beaucamps High School area to the south and the Kings Mills area to the west.

"This will help to promote active travel while increasing safety for vulnerable road users across the wider parish."

Peter Curtis, head teacher at Castel Primary School, said: "I am delighted we are trialling this School Street for Castel Primary.

"Managing cars and drivers is an ever-increasing demand on school staff time, and I am positive this will keep students here safer and healthier.

"Pupils themselves have raised concerns regarding the number of cars in and around school, as well as the poor choices some drivers make, so I am pleased that we are responding to this issue."

Traffic & Highway Services said it would closely monitor its usage and operational times before presenting proposals to the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure regarding the potential for an official nine to 12-month trial.

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