Frequently asked questions about School Streets

User guide

What is a School Street?

A School Street is a road outside a school with a restriction on motor traffic at school pick-up and drop-off times. This creates a safer, more pleasant environment for all road users.

Signage informs motorists about the timing of closures. Traffic control methods differ for each scheme and may include any of the following:

  • Retractable barriers
  • Trained volunteers
  • Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras

For more details, see enforcement.

Some vehicles (such as emergency vehicles) are automatically exempt from the scheme, while others (such as residents, blue badge holders) can apply for an exemption. Visit the exemption page for further information.

Where are the current School Streets?

Visit the locations  page for up-to-date information.

Which School Streets are CCTV ANPR camera enforced?

A list of CCTV ANPR enforced School Streets can be found in the exemptions page. Cameras are shared and this page is updated as enforcement changes.

What are the operating hours for School Streets

Times are specific to each school. Please check your location for the correct information.

Operating hours vary according to the school start and end times. They generally operate for 30 to 60 minutes during morning and afternoon school peak times during term time only.

During school holidays and half term breaks, School Streets will act like normal roads. If present, camera enforcement will be inactive. However, signs will remain 'open' and visible to motorists. It is not a statutory requirement to close them.

How do I request a School Street?

If your school is interested in a School Street, we would love to hear from you. Please contact schoolstreets@wandsworth.gov.uk for advice.

Each school’s situation is different, so here is a short checklist that will be useful to include when you contact us. Don’t worry if you don’t have all of this information at this stage.

A School Street is a big commitment for a school, so the request must be made with approval from the Headteacher.

How are residents and local businesses consulted?

See our consultation page for more information and to register your views on any live consultation.

We normally carry out engagement and consultation before introducing a School Street and will use the feedback from the local community to reach the best design.

In the first six months of a new School Street, the Council will continue to collate feedback. This will be used to adjust the School Street and to decide whether to make the School Street permanent. 

Which vehicles are exempt from School Street restrictions?

See full details on School Street exemptions.

Do not confuse School Street permits holders with holders of Controlled Parking Zone permits or permits for other traffic management schemes in the borough. These are entirely separate permits, and one permit does not cover the other.

Having a permit for the relevant CPZ or a valid blue badge will not permit you to enter the zone during the hours of operation nor will being in possession of a permit for another traffic scheme. You will face the risk of incurring a penalty charge notice (PCN).

While a CPZ permit or blue badge will be required to park, it does not qualify you to enter the School Streets scheme during the operational times. Make an exemption application.

How do I apply for an exemption?

See how to apply for an exemption.

My School Street does not use ANPR cameras. Do I need to apply for an exemption?

No. Residents and businesses on School Streets without ANPR enforcement do not need to apply for exemptions, but visitors to the street should still adhere to the restrictions.

How does the Council use my personal data?

If you would like more information about how we use your data, please read the Council's privacy policy.

What if I am already parked inside the School Street before the operating time?

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 at walking pace.

How will parents, carers and children with limited mobility be affected by the School Street?

The School Street aims to make it easier for pupils, parents, and carers with limited mobility to access the school by reducing traffic outside the school gates.

Those holding valid blue badges will be exempt from the restrictions but should still avoid parking on school keep clear (zigzag) markings.

Wandsworth Council can offer transport support for those with limited mobility. You can find out more here, at our partner Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS). Please also see below for other travel support and advice available.

Will the School Street cause displacement of traffic?

Through the introduction of a School Street, the total volumes of traffic near to the school are expected to decrease during drop-off and pick-up times.

It is difficult to predict exactly how much traffic will be reduced and this will vary for different School Streets, however, initial monitoring data for phase 2 School Streets shows that the reduction of vehicles recorded within most School Streets surveyed was greater than the increase in displaced traffic in adjacent roads where these were monitored.

There is potential for parking to be dispersed over a wider area rather than concentrated outside the school gates.  We are working with schools and communities to identify locations away from schools where parents can park safely without obstructing residents on neighbouring streets.

How will the scheme be governed or managed?

A Memorandum of Understanding will be drawn up between the council and the school, detailing the ongoing roles and responsibilities and will look something like this:

Council and school responsibilities
What the Council will do What the school will do
Develop/provide communications resources for the school and local community Provide senior management commitment to the programme and a key contact point
Provide on-street engagement where appropriate Carry out whole school travel behaviour survey (using Travel for Life online tool) – before and after implementation
Deliver engagement activities within the school Distribute communications through its usual channels (newsletters, parentmail, etc.)
(Subject to engagement outcomes) Implement traffic order changes Host engagement activities (coffee morning, assembly, classroom activities) and/or deliver resources provided
Install signs to comply with road traffic regulations Maintain or achieve Travel for Life accreditation
Provide risk assessment Amend risk assessment where necessary
Provide training for volunteers, if necessary Provide location for storing equipment (e.g. barriers)
Provide activities supporting travel behaviour change Host behaviour change activities (cycle skills, Dr Bike)

How will the scheme be enforced?

How the scheme is enforced will depend on the design of the School Street. Vehicles may be restricted using physical barriers such as retractable barriers, initially managed by volunteers. 

Some have ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras, where feasible. In these cases, vehicles entering School Streets during operational hours without having applied for an exemption, will receive a PCN. CCTV ANPR mobile camera cars may also be used to enforce School Streets.

Smaller schemes may be managed by signs only.

How will visitors know about the School Street?

Signage, including advanced warnings, where appropriate, inform all drivers that they are approaching a School Street.

We also produce banners, lamp column wraps, flyers, information on our website and letters to notify residents, parents, school staff, and local businesses of new School Streets ahead of the launch.

We ask the school and anyone within the School Street to tell their visitors about the restrictions when visits are being planned. Visitors can park on surrounding roads outside the closure or, in the case of ANPR camera enforced School Streets, they can apply for exemption, where eligible.

How will the School Street be monitored?

A range of measures may be used to assess the impact of School Streets before and after implementation, including:

  • Traffic counts
  • Surveys on pupils’ journeys to school
  • Consultation feedback
  • PCN data

A range of qualitative and quantitative information, including assessment metrics, resident feedback and Council priorities, may be used to make decisions on School Streets.

Is there help available to start walking and cycling to school?

Yes. Wandsworth Council can offer support to schools and pupils in need. This includes:

See more information about school travel.

What if I want to speak to the Council about a School Street?

Please email schoolstreets@wandsworth.gov.uk.

Up to School Streets Scheme

Updated: 22/01/2025