Several roads outside schools have been partially pedestrianised in a bid to keep children safe.

West Sussex County Council has made changes worth over £1 million to encourage families to stop driving to school.

Following a trial period, traffic outside Arundel Church of England Primary School in Jarvis Road, Thomas A Becket Junior School in Glebeside Avenue, Worthin, and Swiss Gardens Primary School in Swiss Gardens, Shoreham, will be permanently restricted during drop off and pick up times.

Residents, emergency services and blue badge holders are exempt.

Swiss Gardens Primary School in Shoreham Swiss Gardens Primary School in Shoreham (Image: Google)The traffic measures will also be implemented at The Mill Primary School in Crawley, Ifield Drive, River Beach Primary School in Littlehampton, York Road, and St Joseph’s Infant and Junior School in Chichester, Orchard Gardens. The council hopes these will be in force at the start of the summer term in 2025.

READ MORE: A-road to be closed at times over weekend due to abnormal load

Other planned improvements include:

  • Signal crossing improvements at Lavant CE Primary School in Chichester.
  • A new cycle track on Lancing Beach Green between the western entrance and the skate park.
  • Upgrading the puffin crossing on B2259 Felpham Way in Bognor Regis to a toucan crossing.
  • A new puffin crossing outside West Worthing station.

So far, the council has already implemented improved crossing facilities at Homefield Primary School in Cheswood Road, Worthing, an upgraded footpath at Birchwood Grove CP School in Birchwood Grove Road, Burgess Hill, and a shared pedestrian and cycle path at Yapton Primary School in North End Road, Arundel. 

Councillor Joy Dennis, West Sussex County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “I’m delighted that more schools are joining the successful school streets initiative, and we are able to deliver more safety improvement projects outside our schools, as part of our commitment to making journeys to school safer.

“These changes make such a difference to school users and our local communities.

"We believe that by improving local facilities and partnering with local schools to implement active travel to school initiatives, we can help reduce congestion on our roads, improve air quality outside our schools, make travel safer for all road users, and will help nurture a culture of active travel choice to schools in West Sussex.”