Safer School Streets

A Safer School Street is a road outside a school with a temporary restriction on motorised traffic at school drop-off and pick-up times. The restriction applies to school traffic and through traffic. Councils and schools are adopting Safer School Streets across the UK to:

• improve road safety
• tackle inconsiderate parking outside school gates

Other benefits of the schemes include encouraging active travel and improving air quality. Parents who need to drive are encouraged to park slightly further away and walk the rest of the journey.

How the scheme works

A Safer School Street will vary from place to place. In most cases, traffic is restricted for 30 to 60 minutes at either end of the school day.

Volunteers and school staff are trained to place signs and barriers at the street closure points and steward the area during the road closure. The street becomes a temporary walking and cycling zone. During the closure times, residents and blue badges holders still have access. There are also exemptions for: 

• emergency services 
• school transport
• parents or pupils with disabilities 
• staff of businesses and organisations on the street
• waste collection and other service vehicles 

From pilots to permanent schemes

At the start, road closures for Safer School Streets are operated under Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs) signed off by the Cabinet Member for Transport. They are advertised and notices are placed on the street in advance. 

The ETROs last up to 18 months. During the first six months, consultation takes place with: 

• residents 
• parents 
• other stakeholders 

Changes can be made to the scheme during the trial period in response to: 

• the consultation 
• feedback from school staff and stewards 

Safer School Streets can then become permanent under a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) if the consultation and feedback show strong support for the scheme, after the 18-month period. 

Safer School Street schemes in Plymouth