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

Vehicles are not permitted to enter the zone during 8.15 – 9.15 and 14.30 – 15.30. Emergency vehicles, Blue Badge holders and Vowell Close residents are exempt from these restrictions.

The scheme is enforced by the police. The penalty for ignoring the prohibition is a fixed penalty notice. Advanced warning signs have been installed, and temporary barriers placed at the entrance to the scheme and 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 makes 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 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 are not eligible for an exemption, unless you or your child are a Blue Badge holder, resident of Vowell Close 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 encourages and prioritises a safe environment around schools to allow for walking, cycling and scooting. Parents and carers who feel they need to drive have to park legally nearby and walk the remainder of the journey.

We are working with the school to promote active travel to school, which includes walking, wheeling, cycling and scooting.

Evidence suggests that where School Streets have been implemented, the result is a reduction in car use rather than displacement to surrounding streets. We are continuing to monitor the impact of the scheme now it has been implemented.

Data was collected before the scheme was implemented and is being monitored now the measures are in place. The change in traffic levels, parking surveys, how pupils travel to school and feedback from the local community are all being used to measure the success of the scheme’