Five additional Somerset schools could soon implement safer measures to make the school run safer for pupils, parents and staff.

The Frome Safer School Streets project, which formally got under way on April 22, saw numerous improvements made to several roads in the western part of Frome to encourage more people to walk and cycle to school.

The project, which involves access to motor vehicles being restricted at pick-up and drop-off times, will run for a total of 18 months before any decision is taken on whether to make the restrictions a permanent fixture.

Somerset Council has now announced that similar measures will be trialled in the village of Combwich, near Bridgwater, beginning on Monday (June 3) and running for 18 months.

The changes will initially be focussed on the routes to and from Otterhampton Primary School, with four additional schools (whose identity has yet to be confirmed) being added to the trial later in the year.

The Safer School Streets trials aim to reduce issues with parking and congestion around the school and encourage more sustainable travel such as walking, cycling or even scooting.

Safer School Streets map in Frome (image via Sustrans)

This means there will be temporary road closures during school pick up and drop off outside selected schools.

In Combwich, School Lane will be temporarily closed to vehicles on weekdays during term time between 8:25am and 8:55am and between 2:55pm and 3:25pm.

There will be exemptions in place for blue badge holders, emergency services and other public service vehicles.

The road closure will be supervised by local police community support officers (PCSOs) with two volunteer stewards, and police officers will be offering bike marking to prevent theft on Tuesday (June 4) from 2pm to 4pm.

Somerset Council is working in collaboration with Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP) and Sustrans on the Safer School Streets project.

Joe Bigwood, Sustrans South's head of behaviour change and engagement, said: "School streets provide benefits for families travelling to school, local residents and the wider community.

"They help to tackle congestion, poor air quality and road safety concerns, building confidence in families to travel actively to school.

"School Streets are a powerful way of showing what's possible when cars are removed outside a school.

"We are delighted to be working in partnership with SASP, helping to create a safer, greener environment for Otterhampton Primary School and are excited to see how School Lane is transformed into a walking, wheeling and cycling safe haven for all to enjoy."

Combwich has seen significant increases in traffic in recent years due to its proximity to the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, with Combwich Wharf being used to deliver significant components to the construction site.

The village has fought off numerous speculative attempts to deliver new homes at its western edge, which offered to provide an alternative pedestrian access to the school.

Claire Luce, executive headteacher at Otterhampton Primary School, added: "I am so excited that we are the first school in this part of Somerset to get involved in the school streets initiative.

"We are looking forward to working with our parents and the local community to make School Lane safer for our children."

If the trial proves popular and successful, the measures could be made permanent – with a six-month consultation being open to the public from the beginning of the trial.

To have your say on the proposals, visit the website before December 3.