Project Category: Schools & Universities

To reduce traffic danger and congestion in the area, Bristol City Council has turned a section of Upton Road into a walking, wheeling, cycling and scooting-only zone at school start and finish times.

Vehicles are not permitted to enter the zone for 45 minutes in the morning between 8.15am and 9.00am and 45 minutes in the afternoon between 2.45pm and 3.30pm. Emergency vehicles, Blue Badge holders and Upton Road residents are exempt from these restrictions.

Advanced warning signs have been installed, and temporary barriers placed at the entrance to the scheme are monitored by school staff. All vehicles already parked in the zone before the times of operation are able to exit without incurring a fixed penalty notice.

School Streets make it easier for Blue Badge holders to access the school entrances by reducing traffic outside the school gates. Those holding valid Blue Badges are exempt from the restrictions but existing parking restrictions (e.g. double yellow lines) still apply. We ask that Blue Badge holders display their Blue Badge clearly in the windscreen of their vehicle and they may be stopped and asked to confirm their details on some occasions.

We would ask people with additional access requirements and those with disabilities to contact the Bristol School Streets team to discuss any personal access needs as they may be eligible for an exemption access permit.

Parents or carers dropping children at school will not be eligible for an exemption, unless you or your child are a Blue Badge holder, resident of Upton Road or have access needs. We are pleased that parents at our existing Bristol School Streets schools are embracing the scheme and are choosing to walk, cycle or scoot where possible.

School staff need to be inside the School Street zone area before it comes into operation. Only staff who have a Blue Badge are exempt. School staff are able to leave the zone during the times of operation without requiring an access permit.

Bristol School Streets aims to encourage and prioritise a safe environment around schools to allow for walking, cycling and scooting. Parents and carers who feel they need to drive will need to park legally nearby and walk the remainder of the journey.

Evidence suggests that where School Streets have been implemented, the result is a reduction in car use rather than displacement to surrounding streets

We will continue to work with the school to promote active travel to school, which includes walking, wheeling, cycling and scooting. We will continue to monitor the impact of the scheme once it has been implemented.