Bury St Edmunds Westgate Street road closure proposal by St Edmund's Catholic Primary 'will not progress further' says Suffolk County Council

A road closure proposal designed to increase safety and improve air quality near a school will not be taken forward.

St Edmund's Catholic Primary School in Westgate Street, Bury St Edmunds, wanted to make a short section of the road pedestrian only for a limited period in the morning and the afternoon during term time only.

The aim of adopting the 'School Streets' initiative here was to reduce the amount of traffic in the street to make it safer to cycle, scoot or walk to school, as well as improve the air and environment and reduce inconsiderate parking.

But the idea faced considerable opposition among residents who questioned how the scheme would operate in practice.

Following consultation carried out by the school, Suffolk County Council said, while it remains committed to ensuring the safety of all pedestrians and road users, Westgate Street 'is not an appropriate location for the proposals submitted'.

They said: "The school’s informal consultation raised considerable opposition from residents and following a review of the proposals, the scheme will not progress further.

“We appreciate this will be disappointing news for the school, however, we are keen to support the school’s efforts to keep pupils safe and improve the local environment.

“We have offered the assistance of our road safety team to work alongside teachers and pupils with education and training.”

The school's executive headteacher Maria Kemble said they were 'disappointed' with the decision, however, they were still trying to find ways to support active travel and reduce congestion.

"We will continue to work with the local residents’ association, Eco Carriers and the road safety team to find ways to encourage safe, sustainable, active travel to school and reduce congestion.

"The school's junior road safety officers advise pupils and their families about ways to travel to school including park and stride, using the bike train and scooting to school.

"We have increased the storage facilities at the school so there is more covered space available for bikes and scooters each day.

"We are pleased to be working with Eco Carriers who are now running four bike train routes from across the town to the schools close to Westgate Street. This began in September and is gradually attracting more families to take part. We hope this initiative will demonstrate that it is possible to travel by bike and encourage more families to do so."

Vivien Gainsborough Foot, chairman of the Churchgate Area Association residents' group, said: "The Churchgate Area Association is delighted that Westgate Street is not going to be closed at school pick-up and drop-down time.

"But there is a continuing problem in Friars Lane where there is a back entrance to St Edmund's School. Friars Lane is very narrow and there are terrible problems with parents trying to negotiate parked cars and other cars either reversing up the lane or trying to turn round.

"At the top of the lane where it adjoins Westgate Street there is only one car width. Consequently parents are having to park on the pavements and it is becoming increasingly dangerous for pedestrians and, particularly, little ones."

Mrs Kemble said the school was working with Suffolk County Council to address these issues.