Westminster City Council has taken the decision to make School Streets permanent following an 18-month trial.

The trials at a number of schools in Westminster were originally set up in January 2022.

Safe and sound

The School Streets scheme aims to create safer spaces around schools during school drop-off and collection times.

Roads around schools during peak times are often dominated by vehicles, many of which are dropping off and picking up pupils. These contribute to high levels of pollution and increased risks to pedestrians and cyclists. By reducing traffic levels, it encourages pupils to walk, cycle and scoot on school journeys in an environment where the risk of collision with motor vehicles is reduced.

Road safety is a serious issue, particularly on the walk to school. In 2021, there were 4,301 child pedestrian casualties on UK roads.

What did you learn

Trials were rolled out for up to 18 months at 11 different sites. During restricted times, some motorised traffic is prohibited to enter the School Street. Exemptions are available for residents, Blue badge, White badge and emergency vehicles. As part of the interventions, extensive signage was installed at all sites and some boundary areas. Some School Streets were also equipped with CCTV enforcement cameras over the course of the trial.

The council monitored traffic, pedestrian, and air quality levels around the primary schools. Active travel modes (walking/cycling/scooting) during the times of operation across all school locations averaged at 91.6%.

Morning drop-offs saw a reduction (33%) in nitrogen dioxide during the times of operation.  Moreover, afternoon collections saw a significant reduction (61%) in Nitrogen dioxide during the times of operation.

Top of the class

Eleven Westminster primary schools will now permanently benefit from t School Streets with immediate effect. The council is also looking to expand the scheme to a further five schools each year over a three-year programme.

With such data driven success, other local authorities are also looking at the viability of such schemes in their areas.