A New Approach to Active Travel and Road Safety for School Children

Colourful Street Art Project Encourages Active Travel at Ipswich Primary School

A new interactive street art scheme around Ranelagh Primary School is helping make the journey to school more fun while encouraging children and families to walk, cycle and scoot.
Created by Ipswich-based public art specialists Art Streets in partnership with Suffolk County Council Highways and the school, the colourful installations have been placed along key routes leading to the school, including Hadleigh Road, London Road and Ranelagh Road.

The artwork invites children to hop, jump and play as they travel, creating a more engaging and active journey. The route culminates in a vibrant painted “red carpet” leading to the school’s main entrance.

The project forms part of wider efforts to improve road safety, reduce congestion around schools and promote healthier travel habits. Pupils were also involved in developing the designs, helping to shape artwork that reflects their ideas and experiences.

Iona Hodgson, Founder and Director of Art Streets, said: “By transforming ordinary walking routes into something fun and engaging, we’re helping to make active travel a positive choice for families while creating a more vibrant neighbourhood for everyone.”

The project’s impact on travel behaviour will be monitored over the coming months, with partners hoping it could become a model for similar schemes elsewhere in the UK.

Founded in Ipswich in 2018, Art Streets delivers public art and placemaking projects across Suffolk and beyond, helping bring communities together through creativity.

Who wrote this about Ipswich?

Sam Sherman

Sam is a Co-Founder of Ipswich.love. Passionate about Ipswich, Sam looks to see how we might jointly reverse some of the recent negativity and bring some deserved positivity back to our beloved Town.