Birchfield Community Primary School - School Streets - Post Launch Consultation

Overview

Somerset Council is working in collaboration with Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP) and school communities to explore ways to reduce congestion and improve the safety of children outside the school gates. Elsewhere in the country, School Streets have been proven to achieve this. The School Street at Birchfield Community Primary School launched on Thursday, 9th October 2025, and we are now seeking feedback on the trial scheme.

A School Street is a road (or a number of roads) outside a school with a temporary restriction on motorised vehicles. Motor vehicles are not permitted to enter the School Street unless they have been granted an exemption. School Streets aim to make the area outside our school gates safer by reducing congestion, improving air quality, and encouraging more pupils and their families to walk, cycle, or scoot to school where possible.

Why your views matter

School Streets aim to:

• Create a safer and more pleasant environment for families arriving at school, for residents and others using the street.
• Tackling congestion and reducing risk from motorised vehicles.
• Encourage active travel to and from school for all or part of the journey – helping to improving the health and wellbeing of young people and their families.
• Improve air quality in the immediate area outside of the school.