4 Bristol streets could become School Streets - here's where
Discover how Bristol is transforming four streets into 'School Streets' to enhance safety and reduce traffic around schools.
Safety could be improved, congestion reduced, and active travel promoted outside four Bristol primary school gates, as the schools propose joining Bristol School Streets programme.
A consultation has opened to ask residents about their views on the proposal, and if approved, the streets outside Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School in Lawrence Weston, Glenfrome Primary School in Eastville, Oasis Academy Marksbury Road in Bedminster and May Park Primary School in Eastville would become priority zones for walking, wheeling, cycling, and scooting, with restrictions on car use at the school gates – joining 16 other schools across the city already participating in the scheme.
For around 45 minutes in the morning and afternoon, vehicles would not be permitted to enter the School Streets Zones under the proposals, with the exception of emergency vehicles, Blue Badge holders, and residents within the closure zone who would be ale to access their homes using a resident access point.
Oasis Academy Marksbury Road is proposing to go a step further by permanently closing a section of the road outside its gates to traffic with the installation of bollards.
This new initiative, known as School Street+, is designed to further prioritise the safety of children and families by creating a dedicated, vehicle-free space outside the school for the local community to use.
Ed Plowden, Chair of the Transport and Connectivity Committee said: “It’s brilliant to see four more schools considering joining our School Streets programme.
“This initiative has already made a huge difference to pupils and families across our city by creating calmer, safer, and more enjoyable spaces outside the school gates.
“If these schools do join the programme, we can continue to reduce congestion, improve air quality and encourage more families to choose the active travel option to school.
“This next set of proposals include a permanent road closure outside a school, which is a major milestone for the School Streets programme and shows real ambition to put health and safety first.
“As this is a bold and impactful proposal, I really encourage everyone who is a part of the school community and living in these areas to share their thoughts, as your feedback is vital in helping us shape the best possible environment for our communities.”
Alex Dart, Headteacher at Oasis Academy Marksbury Road said: “We are really excited to be working with the School Streets team. As a school committed to eco‑friendly practice and encouraging active travel, making the roads around us safer for children to walk, scoot, or cycle is essential.
“This initiative would create a calmer, safer environment at the start and end of the school day, giving our pupils greater confidence and independence. We are proud to support a scheme that benefits our school community and the wider neighbourhood.”
To help shape the design of the new School Streets, parents, carers, staff, and residents and businesses in the affected areas are being invited to share their views on local traffic, parking, and the proposed changes.
For more information about the proposed School Streets schemes and to complete a short survey, visit https://travelwest.info/projects/bristol-school-streets. The deadline to respond is March 23 at 5pm.