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Plans underway to pedestrianise South Bristol primary school street
Proposals for a primary school in Bristol to join Bristol City Council’s School Streets programme are underway.
Ashton Gate Primary School in Southville is exploring options to improve safety, reduce congestion and improve air quality outside its school.
The school hopes the School Streets initiative will give priority for people to walk and cycle, by restricting car use at the start and end of the school day.
is needed now More than ever
Ashton Gate Primary school is split across two adjacent sites on Upton Road and Ashton Gate Road.
Under the plans, options will be explored for the Upton Road site, which is already partially pedestrianised and is a low traffic zone.
But the Ashton Gate Road and Greenway Bush Lane site is not included in the plans, and some have called the proposals a “missed opportunity.”
I do think it is good to finally close the rest of Upton Rd (the part around the school, at least!), just that it is a missed opportunity to go further & feel it is disingenuous to call it a School Street for the whole of Ashton Gate Primary.
— Tom Bugs (@BugBrand) June 14, 2023
Under the proposals, the area of Upton Road outside the school gate would become a walking, cycling, wheeling, and scooting-only zone at school start and finish times.
Vehicles would not be permitted to enter the zone for around 45 minutes in the morning and one-hour in the afternoon.
The restrictions would not apply to emergency vehicles and Blue Badge holders, and residents within the closure zone would be able to gain access with a resident access permit.
Upton Road is currently partially pedestrianised with planters used to stop vehicles coming through – photo: Mia Vines Booth
If proposals are approved, Ashton Gate Primary School will be the 12th primary school to join the council’s programme.
There are currently six permanent school streets in Bristol, with four more launching in September and October.
Cabinet member for transport, Don Alexander, said the scheme would encourage active travel from a young age and create a safer environment around the school.
“On top of making the school run safer and reducing emissions, they encourage active travel from an early age,” he said.
“We hope people in the area give their support to the new School Street, which could transform the road outside Ashton Gate Primary School, creating a more pleasant environment for everyone, while making sure residents, businesses, pedestrians, and cyclists can still use the roads.”
Parents, carers, and staff, as well as residents and businesses near the school are being asked for their opinions on the proposals as part of a short survey.
Main photo: Mia Vines Booth
Read next:
- Parents call for safer streets around Bristol schools
- Rat run next to primary school could be made safer for pedestrian
- Is Bristol gearing up to become a 15-minute city?
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