Frequently asked questions

A school street is a pedestrian and cycle only zone which operates on the streets around a school at set times during the school term. Restrictions only apply at certain times of the weekday during the school term and don’t impact emergency vehicles or businesses and residents in the zone. In our case, we will be using physical barriers (modal filters) to enforce these restrictions during the designated hours. 

School streets have a demonstrated track record of success. Over 500 school streets are currently in operation across London. A 2021 report[1] finds that these schemes reduce air pollution at school gates by 23%, increase the safety of the school run for children and enjoy high levels of support once implemented.

As part of our School Street Plus, we are proposing additional improvements to the area to improve air pollution and encourage walking and cycling. These might include temporary planters, cycle storage and pavement widening. These make up the 'plus' element of our School Street Plus.

A School Street Plus is proposed to complement a wider set of measures to reduce congestion around schools and throughout the Borough, improve air pollution and make our streets safer. To ensure these proposals have their intended effect, we will closely monitor congestion levels and air quality on and around the school streets throughout and after implementation. By rethinking our streets and how we travel, we can reduce congestion, reduce air pollution, and make our streets safer, more attractive and better for everyone, including children.

The School Street will be implemented in Summer 2024. The School Street restrictions at Wendell Park Primary would apply during school term, Monday through Friday from 8:15-9:15am and 2:30-4:00pm.

For the trial period, the School Streets will be enforced with modal filters being set up on streets where restrictions apply. Staff will be at the barriers to allow those with an exemption to pass through. The School Streets will be covered by an Experimental Traffic Order (ETO), meaning that the Council will monitor and review the closure points throughout. The Council will also provide another opportunity to offer feedback on the School Street six months after implementation.

The following people can apply for an exemption: 

• Residents and businesses on the impacted streets 
• Children with mobility issues
• Carers of vulnerable residents who live in the impacted street

Emergency services vehicles, local authority school buses, utility providers attending emergencies, postal services, and refuse vehicles are automatically exempt. 

Emergency vehicles will be able to pass through the modal filter at any time if they need to access the area. Safety stewards will be stationed at the filters to assist with entry and exit at each access points for exempt vehicles, including emergency vehicles. 

The School Street zones are enforced on weekdays during school term-time only.

School Streets are not enforced at weekends, during school holidays, or bank holidays.

Vehicles already parked in the roads before the times of operation will be able to exit. During the operating times any vehicles are advised to travel slowly. 

LBHF seeks to promote modes of active travel, which includes making cycling and walking a safe and enjoyable experience in the borough, including for children. 

The Council is working with schools to develop travel plans to encourage pupils and staff to walk, cycle, car-share or use public transport to travel to and from school. The Council also offers free cycle training for adults and families, including the Bikeability cycle training offered to year 5 and 6 pupils. 

In addition, the Council is offering subsidies for cargo bikes as part of our Parcels not Pollution scheme to reduce the number of polluting van and car journeys taken on our streets. Businesses, organisations and families can benefit from the scheme.

We also have air quality sensors at more than 50 schools in the borough, part of the Breathe London network which enables you to access the data for free. Please consult our air-quality webpage for information about air quality work in H&F.

The school run closures will be implemented under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO). This gives parents and residents the ability to give their feedback on the changes made throughout the trial.  

Your feedback will continue to help shape future improvements. The trial must run for at least six months before it can be made permanent.

We and the schools welcome your feedback throughout the trial, starting from 2 September 2024. Please use this email address (schoolstreets@lbhf.gov.uk) for your comments. Formal objections must be made in the first six months of the trial.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the surveys and drop-in sessions earlier in the year. The initial neighbourhood improvement and the school run closures reflect local feedback. Throughout the duration of the trial, starting on 2 September 2024, you can still have your say on the future of the scheme.

This mailbox is monitored. If you consider that your question is not answered above, please write again with 'Trial feedback' in the subject line.