ROAD closures outside schools will be in place for up to 18 months, the council has said.

Earlier this month Brighton and Hove City Council announced the return of the School Streets scheme, which aims to encourage social distancing and make roads safer during drop-off and pick-up times.

St Nicolas CE Primary School in Portslade is the latest school to join the scheme, which is being introduced again next month.

READ MORE: School Streets junction closures come into force in Brighton and Hove

From March 1, motorists will be restricted from driving in Highlands Road, west of the junction with Fairfield Gardens, between 8am and 10am and 2pm and 4pm on school days during term time.

The Argus:

The council said there will be staff at barriers in the road for the first two weeks, to raise awareness about the changes, and residents in the street have been informed.

Road closures will also be in place outside Downs Junior School, Brunswick Primary School and St Luke’s Primary School.

Restrictions do not apply to:

  • residents who live in the street
  • Blue Badge holders
  • doctors and care visitors to residents in the street
  • business owners with premises in the street
  • business, school staff, or others accessing on-premises parking
  • emergency services
  • contract school transport
  • businesses making deliveries.

Two junctions will also be shut at all times outside two schools taking part in the scheme, between Somerhill Road and Lansdowne Road in Hove, outside Brunswick Primary, and between Queen's Park Rise and Queen's Park Terrace in Brighton, outside St Luke's Primary.

All measures have been introduced through Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders, which will be in place for up to 18 months.

Comments or objections can be made within the first six months, the council said.

SEE ALSO: Brighton and Hove councillors unaware of plans to shut two junctions

Headteacher Andy Richbell said the scheme was "most welcome" at St Nicolas CE Primary School.

The Argus:

Chairwoman of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability committee Amy Heley said: “It’s great to see St Nicolas’ starting School Streets next month and I know it has a lot of support from the school’s community.

“We are continuing to build a safe and sustainable transport infrastructure for our children and School Streets is a great way of introducing them to active and accessible travel from an early age.

"I’m looking forward to seeing more walk, cycle and school their way to the classroom."