Street art project offers new approach to active travel and road safety for children

Mural and public art specialists Art Streets have completed a pioneering street art installation around Ranelagh Primary School in Ipswich, Suffolk using public art to encourage children and families to walk, cycle and scoot to school while reducing local traffic congestion.

Developed in partnership with Suffolk County Council Highways and the school, the innovative scheme transforms everyday routes into an interactive experience, inviting pupils to hop, jump, tap and engage with colourful artwork embedded into the streetscape.

The project responds to ongoing challenges surrounding school drop-off and pick-up traffic and builds upon wider School Streets initiatives designed to improve road safety, reduce congestion and encourage healthier travel habits.

Situated across residential routes linking Hadleigh Road, London Road and Ranelagh Road, the artwork has been strategically positioned to create a playful, engaging journey for children living within the school’s catchment area. The installations culminate in a vibrant painted “red carpet” leading to the school’s main entrance, creating a welcoming and positive arrival experience.

The project represents a growing movement towards using creative interventions to influence behaviour, improve public spaces and encourage healthier lifestyles.

“This project demonstrates how public art can do much more than brighten a space – it can actively change how people use it,” said Iona Hodgson, Founder and Director of Art Streets.

“We know that thoughtfully designed public art can encourage movement, improve wellbeing and create stronger connections between people and place. 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 scheme was developed through extensive site analysis, route mapping and consultation with pupils and stakeholders. Children played an active role in shaping the final designs, ensuring the artwork reflected their ideas and experiences.

Safety was a central consideration throughout the design process, with every element carefully assessed to ensure it enhanced the public realm without creating hazards for pedestrians or road users.

Importantly, the project will also provide valuable data for Suffolk County Council, the school and Art Streets. Existing travel behaviour data has informed the design, and future monitoring will measure whether the installation successfully increases walking, cycling and scooting rates while reducing vehicle congestion around the school.

The findings could help establish a model for similar projects across the UK.

“This is a fascinating example of how creative placemaking can support wider policy objectives around public health, sustainability and community wellbeing,” added Hodgson.

“As towns and cities look for innovative ways to encourage active travel and improve public spaces, projects like this show how relatively simple interventions can deliver meaningful social impact.”

The installation forms part of Art Streets’ growing portfolio of public realm projects that combine creativity, community engagement and measurable outcomes.

Founded in Ipswich in 2018, Art Streets has become one of the region’s leading public art organisations, delivering high-profile projects across Suffolk and beyond. The company has created many of Ipswich’s most recognised street art installations and delivered landmark initiatives including the Art Eat Festival and the Wild Walls Street Art Festival, which brought large-scale murals to the town centre and waterfront.

Now operating from offices in both Ipswich and London, Art Streets works nationally with councils, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), developers, businesses and placemaking organisations to create impactful public art projects that strengthen communities and transform places.

The Ranelagh School scheme will be fully documented over the coming months, with project partners eager to assess its impact on travel behaviour and community engagement.

Councillor Christopher Hudson, Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, said: “This is a wonderfully creative way of encouraging youngsters to think about road safety and healthier ways of getting about.

“Encouraging youngsters to walk or cycle to school is good for them and also supports better physical and mental health, helps reduce congestion and improves air quality, which is good news for all of us.”

Ranelagh Primary School headteacher Olga Hopper said: “What makes this project particularly special is that it has given our children the opportunity to contribute directly to their local area and take pride in creating something that will be enjoyed by residents, families, and visitors for years to come.

“Not only has it created a brighter and more welcoming environment, but it has also encouraged conversations about active travel, road safety and caring for the spaces around us.

“I am incredibly proud of our pupils and grateful to everyone involved in bringing this vision to life. In particular, I would like to thank Suffolk County Council, for its support and commitment in making this project possible.”

Chair of Governors Gary Morgan said: “It is fantastic to see our pavements given such a bright and vibrant makeover, bringing even more colour, creativity, imagination and learning to every step of the journey into school. These wonderful additions reflect the energy and character of Ranelagh and help create an even more welcoming environment for our children, families, and wider school community.”