A scheme that sees traffic banned around a school in East Bristol has won support from pupils' parents.
Cars have been banned outside Redfield Educate Together Primary Academy in Redfield since May last year as part of the "School Streets" scheme. The initiative sees traffic banned outside the school during drop-off and pick-up times in a bid to improve air quality and create a safer, healthier and more pleasant environment.
School Streets is currently in operation at four schools across Bristol - Wansdyke Primary School in Hartcliffe and St Peter's C of E Primary School in Bishopsworth, which were the first to launch it, and also Victoria Park Primary School in Bedminster and Redfield Educate Together Primary Academy. Three more schools have now been identified to join the programme this year: Chester Park Junior School in Speedwell, Minerva Primary Academy in Hillfields and Whitehall Primary School in Whitehall.
Read more: Traffic ban outside two Bristol schools at drop-off and pick-up times to be made permanent
Dad-of-three Mike Phipps is one of the parents at Redfield Educate Together Primary Academy who loves the scheme, describing it as "very good" and saying it is much better now as parents do not have to worry about the road. He said he hadn't thought about air quality and that his main concern was getting the kids across the road, adding he feels much safer now.
"The cars do respect it, they do what they are told," said the Redfield dad. "It should be rolled out to more schools if possible. Children do not always have very good road sense so this make it feel much safer."
Naciima, a mum-of-three from Redfield, agreed that it feels safer and described it as a good idea. She said they normally walk to and from school as they live less than 10 minutes away.
The mum said she thinks more parents are now walking to school than they used to. She added: "I think it is a really good idea for the sake of the children as sometimes children just run off into the road and this way you do not have to worry about cars. The schools is encouraging parents not to drive, sending newsletters and other reminders."
Naciima said that School Streets should be rolled out in every school in Bristol. It is good parents can't drive up to the school gate to drop off or pick up their kids, she said, adding the scheme is making parents park elsewhere and then walk, which she said is better.
"It has made a big difference to my experience of dropping off the kids to school, I feel a lot more relaxed and safer," she continued.
Bex Gilbert said she also loves the scheme and described it as a brilliant idea. The mum-of-one said there used to be a lot of conflict and stress on the road outside the school, with drivers becoming frustrated.
Ms Gilbert said that the road was being used as a cut-through for drivers avoiding Church Road, and not just by parents dropping their kids off.
"It is just better for everyone," she continued. "The number of times I have seen confrontations in that road - it is much calmer now.
"Sometimes children get a bit stressed going into school so, to have a calm atmosphere before going in, it is great."
Ms Gilbert, who now lives in Pucklechurch, in South Gloucestershire, said she drives to the school but now parks her car further away. "I do think it should be expanded to more schools in Bristol," she added. "It is not a one-size fits all though, it would depend on the area and everyone would need to have their say. But it is very positive here."
Sally-Anne Watson, a mum-of-one who lives near St George Park, said it feels right children are being put first and said the scheme is "perfect". The mum said she is happy the children no longer have to see bad behaviour from the drivers. She said nearby Avondale Road is quite busy, with constant traffic, and said she thinks traffic calming measures should be introduced there.
"What a great relief it has been, I feel a lot safer now," she said. "The arrival and departure from school has changed. I think it makes sense and it only interferes with people who can drive another route for that short amount of time. I think some people are still getting used to it, but some people find change challenging.
"We need this, we really do. Everyone is happy with the solution. I want my child to be able to walk to school one day and this will make it feel safer."
The School Streets programme is a road safety initiative that aims to make roads in school communities safer for everyone, the council has previously said in a statement. The scheme turns these streets into priority zones for people to walk and cycle and restricts car use at the start and end of the school day.
Bristol City Council said in a statement: “We want to make the journey to school safer and healthier for children and their families, and help to make it a better environment for everyone living and working there. School Streets improve road safety, encourage walking, cycling and scooting to and from school and improve the air quality and environment outside of schools.
"Last year we invited all schools across Bristol to submit an expression of interest if they wanted to be considered for a School Street. When shortlisting the schools we consider a number of factors, including the location, road type, road speed and whether it’s on a bus route, as well as the uptake of active travel and road safety schemes, along with data on air quality, road accidents and more.
"Working closely with four local primary schools, we’ve successfully introduced School Street schemes at Wansdyke Primary School in Whitchurch, St Peter’s CofE Primary School in Bishopsworth, Redfield Educate Together Primary Academy in Redfield and Victoria Park Primary School in Bedminster.
"We will continue the rollout of School Streets, including working with Chester Park Primary, Whitehall Primary School and Minerva Primary Academy, and will be announcing plans for a further School Street in the coming weeks.”
