Your questions answered about School Streets
Find out more information about School Streets in Greater Manchester.
Why are School Streets important?
School Streets help create a safer environment outside schools for students travelling to and from school. They encourage children to get active through walking, wheeling, scooting or cycling to school and help to reduce congestion and air pollution.
What does a School Street look like?
School Streets vary depending on the requirements of the area they’re in, but there are always a range of measures in place to identify the School Street zone and restrictions that apply within it. Generally, a School Street in Greater Manchester will have yellow signage outside the school, as well as traffic signage indicating the times of day that the road becomes pedestrian and cyclist access only. At some School Streets, you might also see marshals in hi-visibility vests and road closure signage or temporary barriers.
Do School Streets operate all year round?
School Streets generally operate during school term time only. Some School Streets may also have other closures or restrictions in place during school or bank holidays, or for special events/circumstances. To find out when a School Street in your community operates, or for information about other closures or restrictions, contact your local authority or the relevant school.
What times of the day do restrictions apply?
School Street zone restrictions usually apply during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times and will be in place for anywhere between 30 minutes to 120 minutes. Signage at the entrance to the School Street zone will indicate the specific times when restrictions apply. You can also contact your local authority or the relevant school for further information on the School Street operation times.
Are School Streets restriction zones legally enforceable?
All School Streets schemes are legally enforceable by the most appropriate traffic regulation order (TRO). For School Street zones, TROs generally start off as temporary and become permanent following a public consultation period. For more information about School Street zone TROs, please contact your local authority.
What measures are in place to restrict motorised vehicles within a School Street zone?
There will be signage at the entrance to restriction zones to indicate that restrictions apply. Additional measures to restrict motorised vehicle access depend on the type of street and the needs of the school and community and can include physical barriers, signage, or marshals or volunteers at the entrance to the School Street restriction zone. Police officers and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras (if installed) can issue penalty notices to any unpermitted vehicles that enter the restriction zone while in operation.
Who is allowed to enter a School Street zone when the restriction is in operation?
School Streets are for anyone walking, wheeling, scooting or cycling. Motorised vehicles can only enter a School Street restriction zone if they have a valid exemption permit.
Who is eligible for an exemption permit?
Emergency services and eligible residents will automatically be given an exemption permit for the School Street zone by the relevant local authority. Other people may also be eligible for an exemption permit including school staff, local business owners, and people with special access requirements. For exemption permit eligibility criteria please contact your local authority.
How can I apply for an exemption permit?
Please contact your local authority for exemption permit eligibility criteria and for information about how to apply for an exemption permit.
How are people with special access requirements considered with a School Street?
People with special access requirements can apply for an exemption permit to access the School Street zone in a motorised vehicle during restriction times – please contact your local authority for more information. Additionally, the relevant school may be able to assist with facilitating special access requirements at the school – please contact the relevant school to discuss possibilities.
What if I am already parked inside the School Street zone when it comes into operation?
Vehicles that are parked within the restriction zone when it becomes operational can leave the zone whilst restrictions apply without penalty. Consider driving outside of the restriction times where possible, but if this cannot be avoided it is important to drive slowly and be vigilant of pedestrians on the roads.
Can parents and caregivers still drive their children to and from school?
There are restrictions on motorised vehicles in a School Street area during drop-off and pick-up times, so unless a parent or caregiver has an exemption permit, they need to park away from the School Street zone and walk, wheel, scoot or cycle the remainder of the journey to school. Some schools have a ‘park and stride’ location where parents and caregivers can safely park outside the restriction zone. Please check with the relevant school for ‘park and stride’ information.
I am a resident in the local area, how will the School Street zone impact me?
School Streets aim to reduce congestion and parking pressures on the street, making it a more pleasant environment for everyone. Residents living within a School Street zone will be provided with exemption permits that enable them to access the zone while the restriction apply. Residents will be given the chance to have their say on a scheme in their area via a formal consultation process prior to the scheme becoming permanent.
How can the local community support School Streets?
Everyone can support School Streets in their community by leaving the car at home and opting to walk, wheel, scoot or cycle instead. Word of mouth is a great way to show support and spread awareness of the benefits of School Streets too! If you’re interested in volunteering opportunities at your local School Street, please get in touch with the relevant school and/or local authority.
How can I register interest in starting a School Street?
If you are a representative of your school, please register your interest for a School Street.
Once you complete the expression of interest form, we will pass it onto the relevant local authority. Alternatively, you can contact your local authority directly to register your interest.
Where can I find information about a School Street in my community?
Contact your local authority or the relevant school for more information. A list of existing School Streets in Greater Manchester is available.