More school streets could be closed to motorists during pick up and drop off times in the next phase of a council scheme.

The School Streets scheme, launched by Brighton and Hove City Council, aims to make the journey to and from school safer for children and families by restricting vehicles.

Roads next to schools would be closed to vehicles in a bid to make streets safer and encourage children and families to walk or cycle to school rather than drive.

The scheme began earlier this year, when eight out of ten people supported it, according to the council.

St Mary's RC Primary in Portslade is one of the schools where the restrictions were put in place this April.

The road outside the school is restricted Monday to Friday for an hour from 8.15am, and for another hour from 2.45pm.

Sarah Clayton, headteacher of St Mary's RC Primary, said: “The road was extremely dangerous, parents were double parking and mounting the curbs and it was really difficult for pedestrians to walk to the school.”

“Now it is much safer and is a lovely start to the day because children are relaxed crossing the road.”

The six schools now earmarked for the measures are:

  • St Nicolas CE Primary School
  • Hertford Infant and Nursery School
  • Hangleton Primary School
  • Balfour Primary School
  • Aldrington CE Primary School
  • Stanford Junior School

Councillor Steve Davis, co-chairman of the environment, transport and sustainability committee, said: “School Streets are a fantastic addition to the city and provide safe spaces for children to get to and from the classroom."

As well as making streets safer, the council says these measures will help tackle the climate crisis.

“If we’re to tackle this ongoing climate emergency, we have to get more people to walk, cycle or scoot to school, but we have to make it safer for people to do so,” said Cllr Davis.

The council is urging people to have their say in consultation on the restrictions which is open now and goes on until Sunday, November 27.