School streets are rapidly gaining popularity as a low-cost, easy-to-implement strategy to reduce traffic and pollution around schools while promoting active travel and increasing walking and cycling. They involve roads being closed to motor vehicles during school drop-off and pick-up times, with exempt access for emergency vehicles, local deliveries and refuse collection. These schemes are popular with parents, increase walking and cycling to school, improve air quality and provide a safer environment for children. Find out https://school-streets.co.uk/

Often, they also bring together families and the broader community in reclaimed urban space, making socialisation more easily accessible at hectic arrival and departure times. They can be adapted to meet specific needs, with some restricting access only during drop-off and pick-up times and others using the street all day for outdoor learning, neighborhood events and assemblies, or simply to allow more space to walk and play safely.

The Future of School Street Design: Trends and Innovations

The most successful School Streets are led by creativity, strong leadership and high levels of community engagement, and they often start out as pop-ups but aim to become permanent fixtures in the city. Cities like London, Paris and Tirana are at the forefront of this approach, with London even introducing permanent swinging gates on street ends that can be locked during designated hours.

Speak with your school custodial staff to find out when they will be responsible for trash removal on the proposed Open Street, and ensure this is reflected in the Operations Plan section of your application. Also, make sure blue badge holders can still access the school street during this time if needed, so they continue to be encouraged to walk and cycle.