Date published: 2026-02-05 | Category: Delivering for local residents, Roads, travel and transport
Bath & North East Somerset Council is proposing to launch two School Streets to create safer, healthier journeys for children.
Consultations will run until 26 February on proposals for School Streets outside Widcombe Infant & Junior Schools and St Stephen’s Primary Church School in Lansdown.
School Streets introduce short, timed vehicle restrictions at the start and end of the school day. They reduce congestion and support children’s health and wellbeing by encouraging more parents and children to walk, scoot or cycle to and from school.
The Widcombe schools and St Stephen’s Primary Church school are working closely with the council and their school communities to shape the proposals. The schools are all part of the national Modeshift STARS scheme, which is about encouraging more walking, wheeling and cycling.
For the Widcombe schools, the council is proposing timed vehicle restrictions on Archway Street and Excelsior Street from 8.20 to 9am and 2.50 to 3.30pm on school days only. Residents of these streets would be able to apply for exemption permits.
At St Stephen’s Primary Church School, the proposal covers the northern end of Beacon Road, between Richmond Lane and Richmond Place, with timed vehicles restrictions proposed from 8.15 to 9am and 3 to 3.45pm on school days only. There would be no residential or business properties on this stretch of Beacon Road requiring exemptions.
Essential access, for example emergency services, school transport, utilities and specific accessibility needs, would be maintained at both sites.
Councillor Lucy Hodge, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport Delivery, said:
“School Streets are about putting children and their safety first. By reducing traffic outside school gates, we can make journeys safer, calmer and more enjoyable. These proposals reflect what parents, staff and residents have told us about safety and congestion, and I encourage people to look at the plans and share their views.”
Residents, businesses and school communities can take part via the online surveys and by attending a drop-in event:
- Widcombe Infants School, Tuesday 10 February, 3.45–7pm
- St Stephen’s Primary School Hall, Wednesday 11 February, 3.45–7pm
Full details on the schemes and links to the surveys are available at:
www.bathnes.gov.uk/widcombeschoolstreet
www.bathnes.gov.uk/ststephens-schoolstreet
These formal Traffic Regulation Order consultations run from 5 to 26 February 2026, closing at 5pm.
Letters outlining the proposals have been sent to residents and the school communities.
More information on the council’s School Streets programme is available at www.bathnes.gov.uk/schoolstreets.