Safer Streets
For the past 18 months a group of parents, carers and staff (Active Travel) have been working towards our school sites having a School Street. There are already 13 in Bristol and more to come.
Bristol Council summarises what this is & why here: https://tinyurl.com/yeymd9vf.
The group achieved Green Status earlier this year and now need to reach Bronze. This is a long process and in the past year we have seen an increase in traffic around both sites with unfortunately an increase in near misses (including one actual accident luckily between two cars). We don't want a child to be next! 😱 So we have a 3-step action plan and we'd like to ask for your support with this!
1st step: Kid zones (Park & Stride)
Areas around the school gates and between the two sites where we'd like to encourage no parking (except blue badge holders); no idling near by to reduce pollution (no matter the weather!) & no turning. Please see the map below for support with this.
2nd Step: Play streets
Regular road closures after school for the children to play with their friends. The PTAF will provide refreshments and the parents can have a cuppa and chat.
3rd Step: School Streets
Daily road closures at drop off and pick up times to non-essential vehicles (blue-badge holders will still have access).
Where can I park safely?
Have you seen the new safety signs and are wondering where to park safely and legally? Did you know the area encircled in blue is just 5 mins or less walk to/from Cotham Grove site?
Green roads
We’d like to encourage all drivers to “Park & Stride” and park in these areas or beyond, where you can park for free for 30 mins. Just enter your registration into the parking machine and press the green button to get a ticket to display in your vehicle. Parking is free before 9am.
Orange roads
These allow 30 mins free parking but have been identified as high risk to our children’s safety due to traffic volume & congestion. There is work with the council to improve safety on this road but in the meantime please consider parking away from here.
Kid Zones - Red zig zags
These are the roads where risk to children is at its highest. This includes illegal parking on Elmgrove park and also at the top of Elmgrove Rd which reduces visibility for crossing roads and often blocks the cycle lane through to Cotham Grove. Please do not park/drive here unless you have a blue badge.
What has the Cotham Gardens Active Travel group done so far?
Amongst other things:
● Achieved Green status of Modeshift stars - the first step to achieving a School Street
● Held regular meetings with SLT to discuss actions and next steps
● Organised a weekly Walking Bus down Gloucester Rd
● Taken part in Walk to School week in May
● Organised for PCSOs to be present outside both sites and guide drivers
● Encouraged the school to walk / take trains for school trips rather than go by coach
● Held an information stall at the Summer Fair
● Spoken to local councillors about the issues with road safety around our schools
● Taken part in Bristol Kidical Mass ride (and members are helping organise 2025)
● Fundraising and working towards adding scooter & bike parking to Cotham Grove playground to make it easier to leave your little wheels on-site
● Set up safety signage outside the schools and held a direct action week.