The Fairer Westminster Delivery Plan recognises the importance of sustainable and active modes of transport for residents, workers and visitors. One of which, is to increase opportunities and use of active travel and open spaces.
Throughout 2022 Westminster trialled several ‘School Streets’ at a number of schools in Westminster. The programme aimed to create safer spaces around schools during school drop-off and collection times, to encourage pupils to walk, cycle and scooter on school journeys.
Formal confirmation of the trial programme ending saw 11 School Street sites made permanent as of 1 May 2023.
Please refer to the Cabinet Member for City Management and Air Quality’s School Streets decision for more information.
What is a School Street?
A School Street is a special Pedestrian and Cycle Zone (PCZ) which is created outside a school’s main entrance during term-time. They operate in the morning and afternoon during school drop-off and collection times, Monday to Friday. Signage on the roads informs drivers of the times of operation at the entrances to the zone.
Vehicle movements are reduced during the operating times so that school children, their parents, carers and other visitors will have more space to walk, cycle or scoot.
The School Street trial aims to:
- improve air quality by limiting the pollution from motor vehicles in the area
- create a safer and more pleasant environment by limiting the potential dangers caused by motor vehicles
- encourage more active travel, such as walking, cycling and scootering
School Street locations
School Street locations are listed below.
CCTV School Streets
- All Souls C of E Primary School
- Ark Atwood Academy Primary School
- George Eliot Primary School
- Queen’s Park Primary School
- St James and St John's C of E Primary School
- St Mary of the Angels Primary School
- St Peter's Eaton Square CE Primary School
Non-CCTV School Streets
- Barrow Hill Juniors
- Hampden Gurney CE Primary School
- St Mary Magdalene CE Primary School
- St Mary's Bryanston Square CE Primary School
- St Matthew’s CE Primary School
- ARK King Solomon Academy - younger years site
Enforcement
Residents who live on a School Street that has CCTV camera enforcement installed and whose car is registered to that address will be on an exemption list.
This means they can drive in and out of the School Street during times of operation.
The following are also on the exemption list:
- Blue Badge holders
- White Badge holders
- Emergency services vehicles
Anyone who is not on the exemption list and is caught on CCTV driving through a School Street during times of operation will receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of up to £130.
For all parking exemption requests and PCN related queries, please contact Parking Services directly via [email protected] or call 020 7641 2000.
Monitoring
All School Streets will have traffic and pedestrian volumes monitored periodically and enforcement at non-CCTV Schools may be applied.
Frequently asked questions
Find answers to some of the most asked questions about our School Streets programme.
For any additional questions, please email [email protected]