Olympic bobsleigh celebrations for B&NES and making it safer to walk wheel and cycle to school This week is Walk to School Week, and it’s a great reminder of how small changes to our daily routines can make a big difference. Walking, wheeling or cycling to school helps children stay active, improves air quality and makes our streets safer - and we’re working hard to make these journeys easier for families across Bath and North East Somerset. On Monday we launched our very first School Street outside St Stephen’s Primary School. By limiting traffic outside the gates at pick-up and drop-off times, we’re creating a calmer, safer space for pupils and parents. We’re also investing in better routes to school. Earlier this month we completed the western section of Scholars’ Way - a 2.5km walking, wheeling and cycling route in the south of Bath linking several education sites and providing a safe alternative to busy roads. Work is now under way on the eastern section, connecting Combe Down to the University of Bath via Rainbow Woods. Alongside these improvements, we’re supporting children to build skills for life. Over the past year, more than 1,200 children across 43 schools in Bath & North East Somerset have taken part in Bikeability training, and our Road Safety Team has worked with more than 10,000 pupils. This is all about giving families more choice improve health, reduce traffic and support our wider work to tackle the climate and ecological emergency. Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of serving as Deputy Mayor for the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority working with Mayor Helen Godwin and council leaders across our region. Together, we’ve been pushing for better transport, housing, opportunities and crucially more investment in the area. The Deputy Mayor role has now been handed over to Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, and I wish him every success. Over the past year we’ve shown what’s possible when we work together across council boundaries and political parties. Finally, it was a great honour for me yesterday to join many others at The Guildhall to celebrate Olympic Champions Matt Weston and Tabby Stoecker and fellow British Skeleton global medallist Marcus Wyatt, who were officially inducted into the University of Bath Hall of Fame for Sport. The event also recognised the outstanding achievements of the British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association (BBSA) athletes, coaches and staff at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. What an incredible achievement all round. Have a great Bank Holiday weekend. Councillor Kevin Guy,
Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council | 
