Pedestrian access between Eastgate and County Way will be closed to the public during peak school times (including opening, closing and break times) from Monday 4 September, to allow it to have sole use by pupils attending Trinity Academy St Edward's.

This is due to the school seeing a rise in pupil numbers for the new academic year – some 30 percent increase.

To allow this increase of pupils to get to and from the school safely, the school is installing a gate on the pedestrian access, which cuts between Trinity Academy St Edward's and the Digital Media Centre - DMC02.

The gate will be closed to pedestrian access, Monday to Friday inclusive for the terms of the 2023/24 academic year during opening, closing and break times and if emergency evacuation of the school is needed. This is to allow have sole use at those times by pupils attending Trinity Academy St Edward's. At other times the gate will be open to the public. 

The approximate times of pedestrian access closure are estimated to be as follows, although there may be some variation.

Before school: between 8am and 8.35am

First morning break: between 9.55am and 10.20am

Second morning break: between 10.55am and 11.20am

Lunchtimes: between 12noon and 1.45pm

Access to County Way car park and Eldon Street North will be as normal.

Alternative routes to and from County Way, Eastgate, and County Way car parks are available via:

• Regent Street and Eldon Street North
• Pedestrian access between County Way and Falcon Street which runs past Barnsley College SciTech building
• Old Mill Lane and Church Street

Cllr James Higginbottom, Cabinet Spokesperson for Environment and Highways, said: “We want to keep our young people safe on their school journeys, and I support the school’s decision to install this gate for use in peak times.

“I understand the periods of closure may cause some inconvenience, but I hope the public will understand the decision in stopping access during these times and make use of the alternative routes.”