Category: Scooting

Pupils will have a safer, healthier start and end to their day thanks to two new school streets being introduced by Bath & North East Somerset Council. 

Children at St Stephen’s Primary Church School and Widcombe Infants and Juniors’ School are set to benefit from the scheme as part of the council’s wider School Streets programme.

School Streets introduce short, timed vehicle restrictions at the start and end of the school day to reduce congestion, improve safety and encourage more walking, wheeling and cycling. Essential vehicle access is available for those who need it.

Councillor Lucy Hodge, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport Delivery, said: “I’m delighted to see Bath’s first School Street launching outside St Stephen’s school in Lansdown during National Walk to School Week. It is an especially fitting moment, as we take an important step towards creating safer, calmer streets for children and families.

“By helping children learn about road safety, supporting more families to walk, scoot or cycle where they can, and encouraging more considerate driving, we can reduce the risk of collisions and help children arrive at school calmer, refreshed and ready to learn.”

The decision to launch these two School Streets was made following careful consideration of two recent public consultations which demonstrated support for the proposals. In making the decision to proceed, the safety of children was prioritised, with consultation responses highlighting congestion and unsafe driving conditions during peak times.

St Stephen’s School Street will launch on Monday 18 May. Vehicle access will be restricted on a short section of Beacon Road, between the junctions with Richmond Place and Richmond Lane, from 8.15am to 9.00am and from 3.00pm to 3.45pm on school days only. The only property located within the School Street is the school itself.

The restrictions will be managed by trained volunteer stewards who will put up temporary barriers during operating hours. From 1 May, certain groups may be eligible to apply online for digital permits to access the School Street by vehicle.

Full details can be found at www.bathnes.gov.uk/ststephens-schoolstreet

The Widcombe Infants and Juniors’ School Street will launch later in the summer following further work with the school community on practical arrangements. It will restrict vehicle access on the full length of Archway Street and Excelsior Street from 8.20am to 9.00am and 2.50pm to 3.30pm on school days only.

The intention is to manage the Widcombe School Street in the same way, with trained volunteer stewards managing temporary barriers during operating hours. 

Residents living on Archway Street and Excelsior Street will be eligible to apply for exemption permits, as well as those with specific needs requiring vehicle access. The permit application process for Widcombe will open when the launch date is announced. Full details are at http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/widcombeschoolstreet.

The council has already announced its decision to launch a School Street outside Newbridge Primary School, which will also launch in the summer. 

Additionally, it is considering the outcomes of a recent consultation on a School Street for St Philip’s Church of England Primary School located on Bloomfield Rise in Odd Down. A decision on whether to install the scheme is due in June.

Traffic flows and travel behaviour will be monitored so that any unintended impacts, such as vehicle displacement, can be addressed. 

Information on the wider aims of School Streets and all the schemes being delivered is available at www.bathnes.gov.uk/schoolstreets

Original press release by Bath and North East Somerset Council