The start of the new school term will bring changes to the road network around the Baubigny Schools with Guernsey’s third school street being introduced.

Traffic & Highways will monitor a trial road closure between Oatlands and the schools’ site to encourage students and staff to travel actively to and from lessons. 

The affected street is La Vielle Rue. It will be closed to motor vehicle traffic at the beginning and end of school days for nearly two months from 4 September.

Pictured: La Vielle Rue starts/ends opposite Oatlands.

It follows other school street initiatives which have been implemented near St Martin’s Primary School and La Houguette Primary School. 

The States said this would allow for safer, healthier, and more pleasant journeys for people on their way to school. 

The road will remain accessible for bicycles, emergency vehicles and people who live on the road between 08:00-8:30 and 15:00-15:30.

Pictured: La Vielle Rue starts/ends in Les Effards, near the Baubigny Schools site.

THS will review the success of the trial and report back to Environment & Infrastructure who will make a final decision on whether the restriction should be extended for another year.

Anyone who wants to provide feedback on the trial can email traffic@gov.gg or write to Traffic and Highway Services, Edward T Wheadon House, Le Truchot, St Peter Port, GY1 3WH before 20 October 2025.

Paul James, Traffic and Highway Services Road Safety Officer, said encouraging active and alternative transport is one of the department’s key goals.

“Making it safer for students to walk or cycle is a really good way to encourage them to change their travel habits in a way they can carry through into adulthood,” he said.

A similar school street has been operating in St Martin’s since 2023.

Vicky Godley, Principal of St Sampson’s High School, said she was proud that this would be the first secondary school adopting the scheme.

“In partnership with Traffic and Highway Services and the Health Improvement Commission, we’ve identified La Vieille Rue as the road with the greatest potential to reduce traffic, improve safety and encourage more students and staff to walk or cycle to school,” she added.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the impact of this trial, which has already proven successful in over 1,000 schools worldwide.”