Plans for traffic restrictions near three Brighton schools

Brighton and Hove City Council has revealed plans to reduce vehicle access during drop off and pick up times in roads near three schools.

The plans look to enforce closures near Woodingdean Primary, West Blatchington Primary (including King’s School) and Balfour Primary (including Varndean and Dorothy Stringer schools).

The access restrictions would be part of the council’s school streets scheme, which looks to create a safer space for children and families, as well as encouraging them to walk, scoot or cycle more.

The areas would be enforced by the help of school staff, volunteers or infrastructure such as manned gates or bollards.

Balfour Priamry School is among the proposed schools (Image: Google Maps)

At the end of last year, the council was granted new powers by the Department for Transport to enforce school streets with CCTV cameras.

This is set to be brought in at Queen’s Park, Hangleton and West Hove/Hove Junior Primary Schools from September.

The council has today, June 8, launched a consultation into the plans and is asking for the community to share their views.

The three schools would join 15 school streets currently in place across Brighton and Hove.

School streets are in force during term time weekdays from 8.15am to 9.15am and 2.45pm to 3.45pm. Vehicles are not allowed to enter the restricted areas during these hours.

The streets are legally enforced through a traffic regulation order, meaning if a driver were to enter the area during restricted hours, they may be issued with a penalty charge notice (PCN).

The level of the penalty will vary according to the type of offence.

The scheme hopes to make the area near the schools safer by both reducing congestion and dangerous or illegal parking, while creating more space for children and families to walk.

A number of exemptions do apply, such as to drive to a registered address within the area, a blue badge holder, or professional carer for a resident on the street, however those vehicles must be added to an exemption list.

Those wishing to apply for an exemption can do so via the council website.

The consultation will be open until July 21 and is available on the council website.