Green Party councillors in Bath and North East Somerset say they have welcomed the long-awaited rollout of new ‘School Streets’ across the district, celebrating a milestone in their years-long campaign to make school journeys safer and more sustainable.
However, they have raised serious concerns about the lack of scrutiny and over-reliance on volunteers – design flaws that risk undermining the scheme’s success.
“Yet again, the Liberal Democrats have overlooked key contributors who could help to deliver what should be a clear winner for parents, children and voters. By excluding Green councillors – who have championed this initiative for years – and various scrutiny panels and subject matter experts, they have produced a deeply flawed plan that risks failure, could waste taxpayer money and jeopardise the success of future schemes.
We are calling for improvements to ensure long-term viability and safety,” Said Cllr Joanna Wright, Leader of the Green Group on Bath and North East Somerset Council, Councillor for Lambridge ward
Three new School Streets have been announced at: St Phillips Primary School, Widcombe Infant and Primary School and St Stephens Primary School.
Additionally, a School Street for Newbridge Primary School is planned as part of the Lyme Road and Charmouth Road Liveable Neighbourhood.
“Relying on school staff and parents to fill a rota of 20 slots per week is a big ask for under-resourced schools and parents with jobs and other caring responsibilities. A camera-enforced system is proven to be far more effective, and has been implemented successfully in many other local authorities”
Said Cllr Saskia Heijltjes, Councillor for Lambridge, reflecting on the volunteer-based model proposed, which would require daily marshalling of barriers by school staff or parent volunteers.
“The proposed design contradicts Vision Zero principles of safety and could have the perverse effect of more parents driving to school, not fewer – making something that is supposed to be safer more dangerous,” Cllr Wright said.
According to the Greens, people cycling have also been overlooked in the new Liveable Neighbourhood design. The proposed one-way system forces people on cycles — including children — to remain on the busy 30mph Newbridge Road longer than necessary.
Green councillors say they are disappointed that the decision to proceed was made without input from relevant Policy Development and Scrutiny (PDS) Panels.
“Both the Children, Adults, Health and Wellbeing Panel and the Climate Emergency and Sustainability Panel should have reviewed the proposals before implementation. Scrutiny isn’t a box-ticking exercise — it’s how we ensure policies are robust, inclusive, and effective. We’re happy this is happening, but it must be done right so children and residents can get where they need to be safely.” Said Councillor Wright
“We have consistently championed School Streets for over three years, pushing for traffic restrictions around schools to improve air quality, reduce car dependency, and encourage active travel.
In February 2023, I tabled a budget amendment calling for a School Street to be delivered in B&NES — a move rooted in the Council’s Climate Emergency declaration and its commitment to reduce vehicle mileage by 25% per person by 2030.”
