New School Streets and Scholars’ Way Improvements Boost Safer Travel for Bath Pupils

Children across Bath & North East Somerset are set to benefit from major new walking, wheeling and cycling improvements designed to make journeys to school safer and healthier.

The improvements come during Walk to School Week 2026 and include the launch of the area’s first ever School Street outside St Stephen’s Primary School.

The new scheme introduces timed vehicle restrictions outside the school gates during drop-off and pick-up times, helping reduce congestion and creating a calmer and safer environment for pupils and families travelling on foot, by bike or using mobility aids.

Meanwhile, pupils in the south of Bath are already using part of the newly completed Scholars’ Way route. The western section of the 2.5km walking, wheeling and cycling corridor links several education sites and provides a safer alternative to busy roads.

Work is also due to begin this summer on the eastern section of Scholars’ Way, connecting Combe Down with the University of Bath through Rainbow Woods. Plans include resurfacing the route to improve year-round access for students and residents.

Bath & North East Somerset Council says more School Streets are planned in the coming months, with Newbridge Primary School due to launch its scheme on 8 June, followed by Widcombe Infants and Junior Schools on 22 June.

The council has also highlighted wider efforts to encourage active travel and improve road safety in schools across the district.

Over the past year:

• 1,216 children across 43 schools completed Bikeability training
• 15 schools worked towards Modeshift STARS accreditation
• More than 10,300 children took part in road safety sessions

Councillor Lucy Hodge, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport Delivery, said the projects marked “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,” she said.

Louise Flynn, Deputy Headteacher at St Stephen’s Primary School, welcomed the launch of the School Street.

“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.”