Vincent Street, Swansea: Creating a safer school street for St Helen’s Primary School
Description
Swansea Council transformed Vincent Street, Swansea outside St Helen’s Primary School. It was previously a dead-end road affected by flooding and illegal parking. Now, it is a safer and more attractive public space that supports more walking, wheeling and cycling.
The scheme provides a safer and more direct route for people walking, wheeling and cycling to the school. It also provides a better public space and environmental improvements.
The project was the first School Street-style intervention of its kind in Swansea. A School Street removes car traffic directly outside the school. They are typically timed interventions during morning and afternoon drop off and pick up times. It forms part of a wider programme to improve walking, wheeling and cycling connections within the Sandfields area.
Aims
The project aimed to:
- Prevent illegal parking outside the school entrance.
- Improve safety and comfort for children traveling actively to and from school.
- Improve the conditions for walking, wheeling and cycling between Vincent Street and Burrows Road.
- Provide new seating and opportunities for pedestrians to rest.
- Create an attractive public space for pupils and the wider community.
- Increase biodiversity and sustainable drainage measures.
Cost
The project was funded with £160,000 through the Active Travel Fund , Natural Resources Wales, Local Places for Nature and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Lessons learnt
The local community have been supportive of the project. This was achieved through fostered community ownership. For instance, works were scheduled around school holidays, the school received daily updates and the pupils helped with planting.
Close collaboration between the council, school, contractors, and Natural Resources Wales enabled walking, wheeling and cycling, play and sustainable drainage systems to be incorporated into a single scheme.
The scheme has improved the appearance and functionality of the space while reducing illegal parking near the school gates.
Outputs and outcomes
The work made it easier and safer to walk, wheel and cycle within the Sandfields area. These included:
- new traffic calming measures
- dedicated car-free spaces
- new seating
- green infrastructure.
This has improved the quality of the public space, encouraged pedestrian activity, and enhanced access to the school.
The intervention has improved usage. An 18-hour camera survey (06:00-midnight) carried out before construction recorded 235 pedestrians and 14 cyclists entering and leaving Vincent Street. Post construction monitoring recorded 881 pedestrians and 24 cyclists.
Recognition
Winner of the Ystadau Award 2025.
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