Children across Bath & North East Somerset are benefitting from a series of new walking, wheeling and cycling improvements designed to make journeys to school safer and healthier.
The council’s first-ever School Street launched this week outside St Stephen’s Primary School in Bath, introducing timed vehicle restrictions outside the school gates to reduce congestion and improve safety for pupils and families. The move comes during Walk to School Week 2026 and forms part of a wider programme of active travel improvements across the district.
Pupils in the south of Bath are also now using the newly completed western section of Scholars’ Way, a 2.5km walking, wheeling and cycling route connecting education sites across the area. The route improves access to four schools and offers a safer alternative to busy roads.
Work on the eastern section of Scholars’ Way is due to begin this summer. The mile-long route will connect communities in Combe Down with the University of Bath via Rainbow Woods, with resurfacing work planned to make the path accessible throughout the year.
Bath & North East Somerset Council says more School Streets are planned in the coming months, including at Newbridge Primary School on 8 June and Widcombe Infants and Junior Schools on 22 June.
Ahead of the Newbridge launch, the council’s Road Safety Team recently visited pupils to deliver assemblies focused on safe walking, wheeling and cycling.
The latest projects build on wider work already taking place in local schools to encourage active travel. Over the past year, 1,216 children across 43 schools have taken part in Bikeability training, while 15 schools have worked towards Modeshift STARS accreditation.
Last year, Chew Stoke Church School was named a national winner in the scheme. Meanwhile, the council’s Road Safety Team has delivered safety sessions to more than 10,300 children across the district.
Councillor Lucy Hodge, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport Delivery, said, “Launching Bath & North East Somerset’s first School Street alongside the completion of the western section of Scholars’ Way – and the start of work on its eastern section shortly – is a real step forward for young people travelling to school and university.
“Together with our Bikeability training and road safety work in schools, these projects are helping children feel safer, travel more confidently and make active travel part of everyday life.”
St Stephen’s Deputy Headteacher Louise Flynn said, “We’re really pleased to see our School Street up and running. Anything that helps reduce traffic and makes the area around the school safer and more welcoming is hugely positive for our pupils and their families.”
The western section of Scholars’ Way received a £2 million contribution from the Clean Air Zone reserve, alongside investment through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement via the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
