SCHOOLS in Oxfordshire could trial a traffic ban to cut pollution and congestion during pick-up and drop-off times.

Oxfordshire County Council is considering piloting the School Streets project, which has already been successfully been trialled around the country, and now primary schools in the county can decide if they want to take part.

It aims to reclaim roads outside schools from traffic at the end of each day, reducing air pollution and making it easier for children to walk, cycle or scoot to school.

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According to Hackney Council, which has already introduced the scheme, it would mean only only pedestrians and cyclists would use roads outside the partaking schools during peak times.

The streets would temporarily become pedestrian and bike-only at set times in the morning and afternoon, and only vehicles which have been granted exemption will be allowed through. 

The project will be discussed at Oxfordshire Schools Clean Air Network seminar at County Hall on Thursday, June 20 - Clean Air Day.

It comes as the council commits to improving air quality and officers from its Public Health and Communities teams have been looking at having traffic restrictions outside the school gates.

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Restrictions however won’t be enforced on main roads and a consultation will take place before any pilot scheme is implemented.

Two to three schools will be invited to take part and the pilots will run for 18 months.

Oxfordshire County Council leader Ian Hudspeth, said: “We all saw from the recent Climate Change strikes how passionate our schoolchildren are about improving the world around them and we, as a county council, are determined to deliver a cleaner and healthier future.”