Bristol School Streets
We are delivering School Streets in Bristol as part of our plans to improve road safety, encourage walking, cycling and scooting to and from school and improve the air quality and environment outside of schools.
What are School Streets?
Bristol City Council is committed to making Bristol’s streets safer for everyone living, working and visiting the city. An area of priority are the streets outside our schools – we want to make the journey to school safer and healthier for children and their families, and help to make it a nice environment for everyone living and working there.
One of the ways we are doing this is through the introduction of School Streets, whereby the street or streets immediately outside the school entrance are closed to non-essential vehicles at school opening and closing times.
Only people walking, wheeling, cycling and scooting are permitted access to the School Street zone while the restriction is in place, with exemptions given to emergency vehicles and Blue Badge holders. In some cases, permits will be given to residents and businesses living or working within the zone – this varies from scheme to scheme and is decided on an individual basis.
Aims of the School Street scheme:
The aim of a School Street is to make it easier and safer for children and their parents to walk, wheel, cycle and scoot to school as well as improving road safety outside school gates
Reducing the use of private car journeys to and from school should lead to:
- Less road danger from traffic
- Less anti-social behaviour from inconsiderate parking and dangerous driving
- More children walking, wheeling, cycling and scooting to school
- Reduced congestion and local pollution from idling vehicles
School Streets are now being rolled out by local authorities across the country.
In Bristol we now have sixteen permanent School Street schools which are listed below in the order they were launched.
- Wansdyke Primary School in Whitchurch
- St Peter’s CofE Primary School in Bishopsworth
- Redfield Educate Together Academy in Redfield
- Victoria Park Primary School in Windmill Hill
- Chester Park Junior School in Fishponds
- Minerva Primary Academy in Hillfields
- Whitehall Primary School in Easton
- Cathedral Primary School and Bristol Cathedral Choir School in Hotwells
- St Bernadette Catholic Primary School in Whitchurch
- Ashley Down Primary School in Horfield
- Fair Furlong Primary School in Hartcliffe
- Ashton Gate Primary School in Southville
- St Werburgh’s Primary School in St Werburgh’s
- Oasis Academy Bank Leaze in Lawrence Weston
- Headley Park Primary School in Headley Park
- Shirehampton Primary School in Shirehampton
Proposed School Streets:
- Blaise Primary and Nursery in Henbury
- Glenfrome Primary School
- May Park Primary School
- Oasis Academy Marksbury Road
- Our Lady of the Rosary RC Primary School
FAQ's
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Schools that are interested in applying for the Bristol scheme School Streets via the Expression of Interest form must be aware of the following points before submitting an application:
Staff Stewarding
Shortlisted schools will need to rely on physical barriers to operate the School Street and these barriers must be stewarded by staff during the designated times of closure. This is a significant undertaking and needs to be given due consideration before applying. We can give further advice and information on this and connect interested schools to existing School Streets to discuss the potential implications of this – please email [email protected] for further information.
Modeshift STARS Good Level.
‘Participation in the School Streets scheme is dependent on having achieved the Modeshift STARS Good (Bronze) level. However, if you can show a commitment to achieving the Modeshift STARS Good award by contacting [email protected] to arrange a meeting as soon as possible, this would be satisfactory at the point of application. This team will be able to provide a free behaviour change program and support with submitting for the award. The Modeshift STARS award reflects the school’s commitment to sustainable travel and improving road safety.
SLT Involvement
A member of the school’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT) is required to complete the application form, demonstrating whole school commitment for the initiative.
Formation of a Working Group
If shortlisted, a School Street working group will be formed to collaborate with us on implementing and managing the School Streets program effectively. At the point of application, schools must nominate two individuals from the school who are willing to be representatives of the working group.
How to apply
Check eligibility: ensure your school meets the criteria and has understood the requirement to steward School Street road closure barriers as detailed above.
Submit Application: Complete the Expression of Interest (EOI) form.
Applications now open, closing date Tuesday 5 May 2026
