A SCHEME that will see roads around certain Bradford schools closed to traffic at the start and end of the school day finally beings later this month.

The aim of the national School Streets scheme is to improve safety and reduce pollution around schools, as well as encouraging more families to walk their children to school, rather than use the car for short journeys.

Bradford Council said it was working on a local version of the scheme over a year ago, and announced the 11 schools that would be involved in the local pilot scheme in November.

Today the authority announced the pilot would start at nine schools on Monday June 28.

The schools taking part in the initial trial are: Girlington Primary, Grove House Primary, High Crags Primary, Ley Top Primary, Newhall Park Primary, Shipley CE Primary, St Matthews CE Primary, St Stephens CE Primary and Westminster CE Primary.

The scheme will limit traffic on a number of roads close to the schools at drop off and pick up times. This will mean the majority of vehicles will not be allowed to drive into these streets around schools at start and finish times.

Separate access arrangements will be made for local residents and businesses while some vehicles, such as the emergency services, and those for people with mobility issues will be exempt.

Scheme to reduce traffic outside schools is welcomed, but Councillors say it may ‘anger’ some drivers

The scheme is aimed at encouraging parents to leave the car at home and walk, scoot or cycle with their children to and from school where possible.

Those who can’t avoid driving to their child’s school will be encouraged to park away from the school gates and walk the rest of the way - rather than dropping them off at the school gates.

The Council has dubbed this a 'park and stride’ arrangement.

School Streets will only be implemented during term time, meaning the roads will be open as usual during the Summer holidays - which begin just a few weeks after the pilot begins.

As well as the nine schools taking part later this month, further work is being done on the schemes at Eastwood Primary and Holycroft Primary schools so they can observe and take advantage of the findings from the other schools.

The Authority says parents, children and local residents and businesses have been kept informed of the schemes for their schools so they can plan changes to the way their children travel to and from school.

Better Start Bradford and the Sport England local delivery pilot JU:MP are providing support.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport said: “Many schools, families and local residents are understandably concerned by the levels of congestion and air pollution around schools at pick-up and drop-off times and these schemes are designed to change that.

“Temporarily closing roads to cars outside a school, means we can create a safer, more pleasant environment for everyone’s benefit.

“We are excited to work with these schools and we’re looking forward to seeing the improvements School Streets can deliver to our communities. The data from the schools taking part in this pilot scheme will be analysed and can be used to roll out similar tailored schemes to benefit other schools across the district.”

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “School Streets are designed to encourage more families to get out of their cars and walk, cycle or scoot to school, helping people to build more exercise in to their daily lives. And with fewer cars and less congestion, road safety and air quality can improve.”