A road in Swanage, Dorset, is to be closed twice a day to make it safer for students walking to and from The Swanage School.
Dorset Council has designated the junction of Washpond Lane and the High Street as a School Street, meaning it will have temporary traffic restrictions in place for 10 minutes at peak drop-off and pick-up times on school days.
At the begining and end of the school day, pupils stream along the pavement and cross the junction of Washpond Lane and the High Street right outside the school
Scheme to start after Easter
While the experimental order is already in place, the school is going to start the trial scheme from Tuesday 14th April 2026 after the Easter school holiday.
Just before the start of the school day and at the end of the day, the junction will become a pedestrian zone with a temporary barrier deployed across Washpond Lane by school staff.
This means pupils will be able to cross the road without having to navigate vehicles which will be temporarily restricted from turning into or out of Washpond Lane by the school. It will also prevent vehicles from parking on the corner outside the school.
The restriction on vehicles using this junction will be from 8.20 am to 8.30 am and from 3.25 pm to 3.35 pm on every school day.
The extendable road barrier will be placed across the junction by school staff
“Some concerning near-misses”
The Swanage School will be responsible for the barrier and will continue to have staff on hand before and after the school day to help keep students safe.
Headteacher of The Swanage School Jenny Maraspin said:
“We’re pleased to be able to trial this small change which should help improve safety for students who cross this tricky junction as they arrive at school in the morning and leave in the afternoon.
“Whilst we do understand there might be some frustration from drivers, the barrier will be in place for just 10 minutes, twice per school day, which we believe most will agree is a small inconvenience for putting the safety of children first.
“We’ve witnessed some concerning near-misses at this junction which will hopefully become a thing of the past under the new scheme and we will really value the understanding of the local community as they see the ‘school street’ being brought into operation.”
The road closure will be twice a day for 10 minutes on school days
School Streets at other Dorset schools
The experimental order lasts until August 2027. After which, based on its success, it will be decided whether or not to make the arrangement permanent.
School Streets have been implemented elsewhere across the country, and a number are already in place at Dorset schools in Dorchester, Sherborne, Upton and Chickerell.
The aim is to create a safer environment for children and parents by preventing traffic using a road next to a school at peak pick up and drop off times, while allowing vehicles to use the road at other less busy times.
Further information
- More about School Streets in Dorset
