Cantell School to join Southampton’s School Streets programme

Following a successful consultation period, Cantell School in Bassett, Southampton will introduce timed closures to personal motor vehicles on Violet Road from 1 November

A number of other schools across the city are currently trialling similar closures, which help to create a safer and more pleasant environment outside schools and support more families to travel sustainably on the school run.

Some other schools in the city have had similar restrictions in place for up to a year already. The council conducted a survey in May 2021 which found that 82% of adults said they support the school street road closures.

Cantell School will be signposted as a bus gate restriction, in place from 8am to 9:30am, and 2:15 to 3:45pm. This means that only buses will be able to travel along Violet Road between Copperfield Road and Primrose Road during the morning and afternoon times.

The bus gate restriction will be supported by camera enforcement and fines will be issued for vehicles found to be using the road without proper permissions.

Councillor Jeremy Moulton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Growth, said:

“The School Street programme has been a huge success in Southampton with adults and pupils agreeing that the roads outside schools feel safer and that it is easier to walk, cycle or scoot to school. The programme is growing with the addition of Cantell School and I hope that this scheme will improve safety and encourage the use of more sustainable modes of transport.”

Mr Harry Kutty, Headteacher at Cantell School, said:

“With over 1200 students entering and leaving our school at a similar time each day, it’s really important to ensure they are able to do so in the safest way possible. I’m pleased that the solution offered by Southampton City Council will enable this to happen and at the same time also encourage more sustainable transportation to and from school.”