Information for residents
Many schools experience traffic related issues at the start and end of the school day. Car Free School Streets address these issues by restricting traffic in the streets surrounding some schools at drop off and pick up times.
Identified streets around schools will become a Pedestrian and Cycle Zone for agreed times (of between 30 minutes and 1 hour) at the start and end of the school day. Signs at the entrance to the zone will inform people of these restrictions. Motor vehicles cannot drive in this zone between these times unless they have a permit.
Residents living on streets included in this scheme are able to apply, free of charge, for a School Streets permit. This will allow them to drive that vehicle in the area the restriction is in place. The application process for these permits is now open.
Any visitors to properties within the zone are generally asked to arrive outside of the times this is in operation or to park outside of the zone (and move once the restriction ends). In exceptional circumstances where this is not reasonably possible, then residents can apply for a permit for visitors.
Some vehicles belonging to identified groups or situations are automatically allowed to drive in a School Street without first obtaining a permit. These include emergency services, healthcare workers, utility companies (essential maintenance), refuse collectors, postal services providers and delivery of goods, licensed hire vehicles, blue badge holders, and any other exemptions stated in the Highway Code.
In circumstances where someone requires access to your property for a particular period of time, e.g. builders or decorators, it is possible to apply for a temporary permit. You need to allow at least 7 days’ notice for this to be issued and received.
The first six months of the project will serve as a formal consultation period. There would also be a formal public consultation before this scheme was made permanent.
The times vary at different schools due to different start and finish times; also some schools now finish earlier on certain days, e.g. Fridays. The times for each individual scheme will be included on the signs at the entrance to each zone and will be widely publicised locally.
Download our leaflet for more information
Page last updated: 31 October 2023
