Frome Town Council has announced that it is delaying the School Streets scheme which was hotly debated by parents and drivers, and would have involved traffic limits for an area around five Frome schools,

In a statement on their web site the Council said that the project, due to start next week, has been put on hold following a meeting with Somerset Highways Authority and the police.

You can read about the original proposal HERE : the Frome Nub News site

The statement reads: " It has been decided to delay the School Streets road scheme which was was due to start next week as the schools return.

"The trial will still go ahead but following comments from the police and members of the public plans will be amended in line with local feedback. This will allow the scheme to take account of local knowledge and give more room to fully engage with the school community. Although the pop-up trial will not be in place for the start of term it is hoped to be up and running over the coming weeks and both schools and the police are reiterating their support and the importance of active travel for the community.

The delay also has wider community benefits as after school clubs should be in place, the town centre works will also have finished and further conversations with the community will have taken place."

Anita Collier, Mayor of Frome said "It is really important that something is done to protect both students and residents around schools from increasingly high levels of traffic pollution and to allow for social distancing as schools return. However, it is also important that we listen to local knowledge and expertise from the police to ensure that the scheme is robust and workable. Of course, walking and cycling (and scooting) to school remain the healthiest option for those children who can and I would urge all that can to, and I look forward to seeing the amended School Street plans as they are revealed in the coming weeks."

The scheme would have involved Oakfield Road, Somerset Road and the top of Nunney Road being converted into a so-called School Street because it links five schools with over 1500 pupils : Namely Oakfield Academy, Trinity and Critchhill School, with the Avanti Academy and Bright Stars nearby,