Update, 11 June 2026
Following a public consultation in March 2026, we have decided to launch the proposed School Street on Bloomfield Rise, south of Somerdale Avenue on Monday 6 July.
You can view the outcomes of the consultation and read the decision note below. We have made one small change to the design in response to residents' feedback.
If vehicle access to the School Street is essential during operating hours, you may need to apply for a digital exemption permit. You can find out more about this in the section 'Who can access during timed restrictions'.
The permit application process opens on this page from Friday 12 June.
Please subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed.
Use this page to find out more about the School Street outside St Philip's Church of England Primary School.
About the School Street
On Monday 6 July, we will introduce a School Street outside the St Philip's C of E Primary School on Bloomfield Rise, south of Somerdale Avenue.
School Streets use short, timed vehicle restrictions at the beginning and end of each school day to reduce congestion and create a safe, calm environment on streets outside schools. They also encourage more families to walk, wheel or cycle their journey.
Timed vehicle restrictions
To create St Philip's School Street, we will restrict motor vehicle access on Bloomfield Rise south of Somerdale Avenue and from the surrounding private lanes during the times set out below.
The restrictions will be managed and enforced by stewards using a temporary barrier at the entrance to Bloomfield Rise and by raising collapsible bollards at the exits to the lanes.
Vehicle restriction times (Monday to Friday, term-time only):
- Mornings: 8:30am to 9:05am
- Afternoons: 3pm to 3:35pm
Essential vehicle access is maintained, including for residents living on Bloomfield Rise south of Somerdale Avenue but you may need to apply for an exemption permit.
Please read 'Who can access during timed restrictions'.
Map showing the extent of the School Street, the location of the temporary barrier on Bloomfield Rise, the collapsible bollards at the exit of the private lanes, and the School Street signage
How the school street is managed
Clear signage (a legal requirement) will be installed at the entry point to the School Street to show when restrictions are in operation. The proposed sign location is shown on the map, above.
Trained volunteer and school stewards will attend the School Street during operating hours to welcome families.
They will put up and remove the temporary barrier across the junction of Somerdale Avenue and Bloomfield Rise, as illustrated on the map above. The barrier will be stored at the school.
Stewards may ask for professional ID from drivers of authorised vehicles, and will check the vehicle registrations of digital permit holders against an official list (see ‘Who can access during timed restrictions’ and ‘How to apply for an exemption permit’ below)
To further reduce the risk of collision and injury, we will install collapsible bollards at the exit of the private lanes to prevent vehicles exiting onto the footway of Bloomfield Rise next to the school.
Stewards will raise the bollards during operating hours and ensure they are lowered at all other times.
Please expand the sections below for more detail on the design, location and operation of the collapsible bollards and access to the lanes.
One folding bollard - which can be set down horizontally onto the lane - will be set back into the lane to protect access to the school car park and neighbouring property.
The bollard will be raised by the school during operating hours only. During this time, access to garages on the lane is maintained from Somerdale Avenue. A no-through-route sign will be placed at the junction of the lane and Somerdale Avenue to deter vehicles from using the lane for this purpose.
One telescopic bollard will be installed at the edge of the footway in front of the lane. When lowered, telescopic bollards collapse vertically into a hole in the ground.
The bollard will be raised by the school during operating hours only. During this time, access to garages on the lanes is maintained from Bloomfield Drive and Somerdale Avenue and vehicles can turn to exit the same way.
Previously we had proposed two permanent bollards in this location, but this design offers more flexibility for residents to access the lanes outside of operating hours.
See below for who can access the School Street during operating hours. If you require essential access, you may need to apply for an exemption permit (open from Friday 12 June).
Illustration of a Pedestrian and Cycle Zone sign typically used at the entrance of School Streets promoting the timed restrictions
Benefits of a School Street
- Fewer vehicles outside the school gates, reducing the risk of collisions and improving the safety of children
- Safer and more pleasant walking, cycling and wheeling routes
- More children travelling actively
- Better physical health and focus in class
- A calmer start and end to the school day
- A calmer environment for residents living in or near school streets due to fewer vehicles
Read more about the aims of School Streets, our approach to introducing them and how they are run.
Who can access during timed restrictions
From 8:30am to 9:05am and 3pm to 3:35pm on school days we will restrict access for most vehicles on Bloomfield Rise south of Somerdale Avenue. Those already parked in the zone can leave without a permit.
Authorised vehicles and permit holders (as outlined below) will still have access to properties on the School Street where no alternative route is possible.
Please expand the following sections to find out who can access the School Street during timed restrictions and how to apply for an exemption permit.
The following don't need a permit to access properties on the School Street during operating hours:
- Vehicles displaying a Blue Badge
- Emergency services (for example, police, fire, ambulance)
- Statutory service vehicles (for example, water/sewerage companies)
- Postal and courier company vehicles (not delivery drivers in private vehicles)
- Council-organised school transport
- Health and social care providers
- Vehicles delivering or collecting large goods
- Vehicles already parked in the School Street needing to leave
Drivers of authorised vehicles may be required to show evidence, such as a professional identification card or Blue Badge, before entering a School Street.
The following groups are eligible to apply for a permit if vehicle access is necessary during operating hours. Vehicles already parked on the School Street can leave without a permit.
- Residents with a vehicle registered to a property on the School Street
- Parents or carers of a child with an education health and care plan (EHCP) or an individual health care plan (IHCP) requiring vehicle access to the school
- Individuals, parents and carers with a short-term accessibility need or an exceptional circumstance where requirement for vehicle access is necessary and can be evidenced
- Visitors providing essential school services. For example, a school nurse, specialist sport or music tutor
- Schools or trusts for their official school transport
To achieve the aims of the School Street and encourage more active travel, we don't usually grant permits to the following:
- Parents
- School staff
- Employees of local businesses
- Delivery drivers in private (non-company) vehicles
- Residents who do not live on the School Streets
How to apply for an exemption permit
You can apply for a permit from Friday 12 June via this web page.
Permits are digital and issued free of charge via MiPermit to eligible applicants. They are linked to a vehicle's registration, so you need one permit per vehicle.
You do not need a permit if you drive an authorised vehicle. You would only need a permit to access the School Street during operating hours.
If your application is successful, when you wish to enter the School Street during operating hours, stewards will check your vehicle registration against an official list.
Permits are valid until 31 July in the current school year, unless stated otherwise. Permit numbers may be capped.
Expand the following sections to find out more on the different types of permits available.
These permits allow residents living on the School Street to gain access to their residential address during operating hours. Residents do not need a permit to leave the School Street during operating hours.
- Permits are capped at four permits per property on the School Street.
- Permits are linked to the vehicle's registration. You need one permit per vehicle.
- Permits remain valid until the 31 July in the current school year.
To apply you will need to provide:
- A council tax reference number, which you can find on your bill.
- A copy of the vehicle's V5C. Or a lease agreement or company car documentation linking your name, vehicle and address on the School Street.
If you're unable to provide council tax details, you can provide a mortgage or solicitor's letter, tenancy agreement and a utility bill dated within three months.
These permits are for parents or guardians of a child with an education health and care plan (EHCP) or individual health care plan (IHCP). They allow you to drive into a School Street during operating hours when vehicle access to the school is necessary.
- Permits are linked to the vehicle's registration. You need one permit per vehicle.
- Permits remain valid while the care plan is in place and until 31 July of the current school year.
To apply you will need to provide:
- A completed application support form. You can request this from the school when permit applications open.
These permits allow vehicle access to the school during School Street operating hours for people with specific short term accessibility needs. This may include a child or adult with a temporary injury or medical condition.
- Permits are linked to the vehicle's registration. You need one permit per vehicle.
- Permits are valid for a maximum of three months from the date of issue.
To apply you will need to provide:
- A short statement explaining why you need vehicle access.
- Evidence from a medical or other relevant professional, dated within the last four weeks.
These permits allow vehicle access during School Street operating hours for people providing vital services at, or to, the school. It is for people who are unable to access the site outside of those hours, and where the school supports the visit.
- Permits are linked to the vehicle's registration. You need one permit per vehicle.
- Permits are valid until 31 July of the current school year.
To apply you will need to provide:
- A short statement explaining why you need vehicle access to the School Street during operating hours.
- A completed application support form. You can request this from the school when permit applications open.
These permits allow vehicle access to a School Street for people who do not meet the criteria for other permits, but who have a genuine and essential need to access the school or school street during operating hours.
- Permits are linked to the vehicle's registration. You need one permit per vehicle.
- Permits are valid until 31 July of the current school year. Or, for a reasonable period based on the evidence provided (if this is sooner)
To apply you will need to provide:
- A short statement explaining why you need vehicle access to the School Street during operating times
- Supporting evidence or documentation. For example, a supporting statement from a professional, employer or from the school leadership team
These permits allow access to a School Street during operating hours for vehicles owned or leased by the school or trust and used solely for school transport. For example, a school minibus.
- Permits are linked to the vehicle's registration. You need one permit per vehicle.
- Permits are valid until 31 July of the current school year.
To apply you will need to provide:
- Proof of vehicle ownership, such as a V5C or lease agreement. This must show that the vehicle is registered to the school or academy or trust.
These exemption permits only allow drivers with essential needs to reach the school or homes on the street during operating hours, when no other route or time is possible.
View the full terms and conditions for exemption permits before applying.
If you need information in an alternative or printed format, or you need support, please contact the team. Email us at school_streets@bathnes.gov.uk or call us on 01225 394 025.
Outcomes of the public consultation
During March 2026 we asked the school community, residents and businesses in the surrounding area to share their views on a School Street in a formal public consultation.
In June 2026, after careful consideration of the consultation outcomes, we decided to go ahead with the proposal.
- Read the consultation report presenting the survey responses (June 2026)
- Read the decision notice, including more information on the reasons for going ahead with the proposal
Please expand the section below to read a short summary of the consultation outcomes and decision.
Summary of the consultation outcomes and decision
We received 47 responses to the consultation survey, with 89 percent supporting the proposal.
In deciding to install the scheme, weight was given to evidence of illegal parking, pavement parking, idling and dangerous manoeuvres during school pick up and drop off. These behaviours create a clear risk to children and other vulnerable road users, particularly on the streets immediately outside the school entrances.
We acknowledge that some displacement may occur on surrounding streets at peak times. We will monitor and review the scheme for adverse impacts that outweigh the benefits of removing traffic from the area where most children gather.
We also considered comments from landowners on the proposal for permanent bollards at the exit of the westerly lane onto Bloomfield Rise. To provide more flexibility to access the lane outside of operating hours, we will instead install a telescopic/collapsing bollard that will be raised during School Street operating hours. only.
Next steps
The School Street will launch later on Monday 6 July 2026, following further work with the school. Permit applications will open on Friday 12 June, and residents and the school community will be notified directly.
You can also subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date.
From Monday 6 July, most vehicles will not be permitted to access Archway Street and Excelsior Street during the following times:
- Mornings: 8:30am to 9:05am
- Afternoons: 3pm to 3:35pm
- Monday to Friday, term-time only
To check if you will be eligible to apply for essential vehicle access during operating hours, please refer to the section 'Who can access during timed restrictions'.
We are continuing to work with the school to encourage more walking, wheeling and cycling to reduce the numbers of vehicles entering the area during the school run.
Monitoring and review
We will monitor travel behaviours and traffic flows in the area to assess the School Street's effectiveness, drawing on baseline counts gathered before launch. We may also monitor air quality. We will make adjustments as needed.
Keep informed
To receive updates on the proposals for St Philip's School Street, please subscribe to our e-newsletter.
Find out more about the programme and the development of School Streets on our School Streets web page.
Traffic Regulation Orders
These are legal documents that follow a standard wording and format.
View the legal notices for this TRO Consultation 26-002
Find out more about how we decide on changes to road layouts using Traffic Regulation Orders.