Traffic ban Schools might join walking and cycling scheme
CAR traffic could soon be banned from outside two schools in Bristol city centre at the start and end of each school day.
The move would aim to make the road safer for pupils, cut air pollution near the schools and increase how many pupils walk and cycle to school.
College Square would see traffic restrictions, under new proposals, from 8.15am to 9am and from 2.45pm to 3.45pm. Cathedral Primary School and Bristol Cathedral Choir School would join a growing number of schools with traffic restrictions in the city.
Bristol City Council is now consulting parents, carers, staff, residents and businesses in the area about the changes as part of its School Streets programme. The programme has already introduced restrictions outside seven other schools in Bristol.
Councillor Don Alexander, cabinet member for transport, said: “School Streets provide safer, more sustainable journeys to school, while encouraging good habits in children who get used to active daily travel from an early age.
“We hope there is plenty of support for these measures as they have the potential to transform the space outside these schools, creating a more pleasant environment for everyone, while making sure residents, businesses, pedestrians and cyclists can still use the roads.”
Emergency vehicles and Blue Badge holders would be exempt from the restrictions. The plan has been supported by Sara Yarnold, headteacher of Cathedral Primary School, and Joseph Thurston, headteacher of Bristol Cathedral School.
In a joint statement, they said: “Turning College Square into a School Street during term-time would give our pupils more confidence to walk and cycle to school, making the area safer and reducing pollution at the school gates. We hope these proposals get plenty of support and we look forward to seeing more of our learners travelling actively to school.”
The consultation runs until December 23 and can be found by visiting the website www.travelwest.info/cathedralschools. Other schools already taking part in the School Streets programme are: Wansdyke Primary, Whitchurch; St Peter’s Primary, Bishopsworth; Minerva Primary, Hillfields; Whitehall Primary, Easton; Redfield Educate Together; Victoria Park Primary, Windmill Hill, and Chester Park, Fishponds.
We hope there is plenty of support for these measures as they have the potential to transform the space outside these schools
Cllr Don Alexander