We are committed to making the city’s streets safer for everyone living, working and visiting. A priority area is 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 pleasant environment for everyone living and working there.
One way we are doing this is by implementing School Streets, where the street or streets immediately outside the school entrance are temporarily closed to non-essential vehicles at school pick up and drop off times.
While the restriction is in place, only people walking, wheeling, cycling, and scooting are permitted access to the School Street zone, with exemptions given to emergency vehicles and blue badge holders.
In some cases, permits will be given to residents and businesses in the zone – this varies from scheme to scheme and is decided on an individual basis.
To promote Active Travel, improve road safety outside school gates and reduce the number of private car journeys to and from school.
This should lead to:
- less road danger from traffic
- less anti-social behaviour caused by inconsiderate parking and dangerous driving
- more children walking, wheeling, cycling and scooting to school
- reduced congestion and pollution from idling vehicles
Connect with the School Streets team
Email us to request our newsletter with up-to-date news about School Street schools in Bristol and Modeshift STARS
We have 13 permanent School Street schools in Bristol and aim to increase this each year.
You can find out more about the School Streets scheme on the Travel West website.
Find out site-specific information about our existing School Street schools:
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
Connect with the School Streets team
Email us to request our newsletter with up-to-date news about School Street schools in Bristol and Modeshift STARS
Before you apply
You must be aware of the following prerequisites before applying to be considered for a School Street.
Staff stewarding
Funding for camera enforcement at School Streets is currently unavailable. Shortlisted schools will need to rely on physical barriers to operate the School Street and these must be stewarded by staff during the designated closure times. 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 you to existing School Streets to discuss the potential implications of this.
Modeshift STARS 'Good' level
Participation in the School Streets scheme requires achieving the Modeshift STARS 'Good' level, reflecting the school's commitment to sustainable travel and road safety. The scheme is free and includes a wide variety of active travel initiatives for the whole school.
Senior Leadership Team (SLT) involvement
A member of the school's SLT is required to complete the application form, to demonstrate commitment to the initiative from the whole school.
Formation of a Working Group
If shortlisted, a School Street working group will be formed to collaborate with us on implementing and managing the programme effectively. Schools must nominate two individuals from the school who are willing to be representatives of the working group.
Email the Modeshift STARS team at activetravel.schools@bristol.gov.uk for more information on how to get started.
Schools interested in applying for the Bristol scheme School Streets must fill in an Expression of Interest form:
School Streets expression of interest form
Connect with the School Streets team
Email us to request our newsletter with up-to-date news about School Street schools in Bristol and Modeshift STARS
"Our new School Street is fantastic! In just a few weeks, traffic around the school has decreased, allowing families to drop off and pick up their children safely. More families are walking or wheeling to school, creating a closer school community. The area is now a safe space for families to gather without worrying about traffic. This change has made drop-off and pick-up a joy! A big thank you to the School Streets team at Bristol City Council!"
St Werburgh's Primary School
"Historically, our school served mainly local families, but as our catchment area grew, so did car traffic. Parents rushing for the school run often drove onto the pavements, ignoring zigzag markings and speed limits, which frustrated residents with blocked driveways. Despite support from local PCSOs, it was clear that action was needed.
The introduction of School Streets was the solution. We worked together to implement a one-way street, and now we see happy families arriving, exchanging friendly greetings with staff. Our community appreciates the chance to walk, cycle, or scoot to school safely."
Minerva Primary Academy
"The School Street scheme has had an immediate and profound effect on the Upton Road site at Ashton Gate. Pupils and their families are now much safer as there is a significant reduction of risk that the cars presented at the start and end of the school day. The support of the School Street team made implementation straightforward, and the scheme has been heralded as a huge success by the school staff and the community they serve."
Ashton Gate Primary School
Connect with the School Streets team
Email us to request our newsletter with up-to-date news about School Street schools in Bristol and Modeshift STARS