A traffic-free zone is to be set up around a school as part of a trial aimed at making streets safer for children following “volatile and aggressive” exchanges.

Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School in Dartford is the latest in Kent to join the national “school streets” initiative.

The term refers to a road outside a school with a temporary restriction on traffic at school drop-off and pick-up times, to tackle air pollution, poor health and road danger.

It means only pedestrians and cyclists can use the roads at certain times.

As part of the latest trial initiated by Kent County Council, vehicles will not be able to use Chatsworth Road, at its junction with Arundel Road, during peak windows.

In a letter, a spokesman for KCC said the project aims to “create safer areas for children and their families to travel to and from school”.

It added: “KCC has been working closely with Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School to explore options to address the concerns raised by the school community and its neighbours.

“The school has highlighted issues and concerns that arise as a result of congestion at peak drop-off and collection times.”

These included blocking residents’ properties, meaning they are unable to get to and from their homes, creating a highly stressful environment which at times causes volatile and aggressive exchanges, and poor parking which causes stress and frustration.

The letter continued: “Together, we have identified that a school streets scheme could help us to make the area outside the school entrance safer and more pleasant for the whole school community and neighbours.

“Your patience and co-operation whilst the school streets scheme is in place will be greatly appreciated.”

The trial will start on Monday, April 22, and if successful could be made permanent.

It will work under an experiment traffic regulation order (ETRO) which restricts traffic from using the road during term-time from Monday to Friday between 8.15am and 9.15am and 2.45pm and 3.45pm.

Residents can apply for a permit to make them exempt from the ban, however, they are asked to still avoid the street during those times.

The letter added: “We have highlighted the potential risk that, in the event of inconsiderate parking or if drivers do not abide by the warnings, there is a chance that Chatsworth Road may become congested.

“This could cause distress and inconvenience for the residents and families attending Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School.

“To mitigate this risk, KCC will be conducting thorough evaluations of this trial and will be working closely with partners, such as the school and local parking enforcement personnel, to continuously monitor the scheme.”

There are currently no plans to bring in “school streets” elsewhere in Dartford.

KCC first trialed the scheme at Drapers Mills Primary Academy, in St Peters Footpath, Margate in 2020, but has since extended it to Southborough Church of England Primary School, in Broomhill Park Road, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells.

More recently, Medway Council has also since introduced the scheme.

Eleven schools are being considered for the scheme however it has faced a backlash from some parents and residents who say it will only push the problem into other surrounding streets.

The restrictions came into force across the Towns last month.