Motor vehicles will be barred from roads near schools in Oxfordshire during morning and afternoon school collection periods beginning September 2.

Oxfordshire County Council has launched experimental School Streets schemes across four towns: Banbury, Didcot, Oxford and Carterton.

The schemes function Monday through Friday throughout the academic term.

Their purpose involves decreasing hazards, improving air quality and easing traffic buildup in school vicinities while encouraging pupils to walk, cycle or use scooters.

In Banbury, vehicles will be prevented from accessing Harriers View where it meets Bloxham Road between 8.15am and 9.15am each morning and from 2.30pm until 4pm each afternoon.

In Didcot, restrictions will be enforced in areas surrounding Willowcroft Community Primary School and St Birinus Boys School.

These limitations apply between 8am and 9am in the morning and between 2.30pm and 3.30pm in the afternoon.

The affected thoroughfares comprise Abbott Road, Glebe Road, Lynmouth Road, Mereland Road and Ridgeway Road.

Oxford’s Sandhills Community Primary School area will see Delbush Avenue restricted at its intersections with Merewood Avenue and Hill View during the identical morning and afternoon windows.

Carterton will implement restrictions near Edith Moorhouse Primary School and St Josephs Catholic Primary School.

These operate from 8.15am to 9.15am and from 2.30pm to 3.30pm.

The measures affect sections of Edgeworth Drive, Lawton Avenue and Richens Drive.

Several categories of road users receive exemptions from the restrictions.

These encompass emergency responders, local inhabitants and their guests, holders of blue badge parking permits, school transportation services and commercial delivery drivers.

The experimental traffic orders commence on September 2 and could remain active for a maximum duration of eighteen months.

Members of the public may submit objections to the scheme’s permanent adoption within a six-month period.