Robert Kett Primary School is the only school in Norfolk with a “School Street” initiative.

A pioneering road safety initiative at a Wymondham primary school is the focus of the latest episode of an emerging podcast from UK climate charity Carbon Copy. Robert Kett, the largest primary school in the South Norfolk market town, is also the only school in the county to operate a “School Street.”

The pod tells the story of James Lucas, a concerned father with children at the school, who teamed up with other parents and the school’s Headteacher Cara Fahy to implement daily road closures at drop-off and pick-up times.

The initiative, supported by charity Sustrans alongside Norfolk County Council, has seen enormous improvements both in terms of road safety and air pollution around the school gates.

James said: “Whilst as you might imagine, there was some initial concern from local people about the inconvenience of closing the road every day, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, and the impact on the safety of the children and parents at the school is something I’m really proud of.”

Podcast host Isabelle Sparrow, who also lives in Wymondham added: “Meeting James, Cara and others responsible for implementing this project has been so inspiring. I remember how congested the road outside the school was before this was put in place, and the change is incredible to see. Schools across the UK experience the same issues with traffic, air pollution and road danger, so I hope that by hearing this episode and learning about the success of Robert Kett’s School Street, other people may feel inspired to put something similar in place where they live.”