A School Street (external link) is a road outside a school with temporary restrictions on motor traffic at school drop off and pick up times. The restriction applies to school traffic and through traffic.
These temporary restrictions at drop off and pick up times will help reduce congestion and pollution in and around schools. School streets also encourage active travel, which can help to improve physical and mental health for parents and children. The result is a safer, healthier, and better environment for everyone.
How it works
When a school street is implemented, we implement a traffic regulation order which prohibits vehicles driving along the road(s) to enable pedestrians and cyclists to use the road(s) during school pick-up and drop-off times. Motorised vehicles will not be able to enter this closed area unless they have been given an exemption.
The scheme will be enforced by temporary barriers or traffic enforcement cameras. New gateway signs will also be put in place in the restricted area.
Parents or carers who are not able to walk or cycle to school due to distance can park their vehicle outside of the school street zone and complete the final part on foot.
Residents within a school street zone
Residents living within the school street zone will be able to use their cars during the restricted hours. Although we encourage movements of residents’ vehicles to be kept to a minimum, to contribute to the success of the scheme. If you have visitors, where possible, ask them to avoid arriving or leaving when the restrictions are in force.
Any existing parking restrictions in place on the road will continue to operate as normal. Anyone parking in contravention of these will be liable for the relevant penalty charge notice.
We do ask that every effort is made to encourage deliveries are made outside of the operating times.
Exempt vehicles and services
- Emergency service vehicles, doctors / nurses on call, carers and support workers
- Public transport and taxis
- Postal and delivery vehicles serving properties within the school streets zone
- School buses and school transport that service the school within the school streets zone
- Funeral cortege
- Residents who live within the school streets zone
- Blue badge holders, display your badge clearly during the hours of operation.
Schools with School Street Scheme in place
- Kershaw Street for Lamberhead Green Primary School in Pemberton
- Pick Up Street, George Street, Local Board Street and Charles Street for Ince CE Primary School and St William’s RC Primary School
- Church Street, Golborne for St Thomas CE Junior and Infant School
- Leigh Street and Faith Street for Leigh St Peter’s CE Primary School
- Windermere Road, between Gordon Street and Grasmere Street and Glebe Street between Prescott Street and Windermere Street for Leigh Central Primary School and Sacred Heart Catholic School
- Simpkin Street between Vicarage Road and Ruskin Crescent for St John’s CE Primary School
- Rookery Avenue for St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School.
Request a school street
If your school is interested in a school street, we would love to hear from you.
Each school’s situation is different, don’t worry if you don’t have all this information at this stage.
A school street requires a commitment from the school to support the scheme (and be involved in a good standard school travel plan) and therefore we would need the request to come from the school with approval from the Headteacher.
Requesting a school street by a school does not automatically mean the council can implement a school street. If school is not located on 20mph road then unfortunately it is not suitable because speed and traffic volumes will be too high.Those who aren’t eligible are offered either school bubble schemes, alternative active travel initiatives or improved infrastructure. For more information about these alternative measures and school travel plans, please visit our school travel plans webpage.
Camera enforcements and exemptions
Who is allowed to have an exemption to enter the school street
- Residents who live in the highlighted area on the school streets map, providing the vehicle is registered to the property within the school street
- Businesses (and staff of these businesses) who operate in the highlighted area of the school streets map
- Carers of friends or family who live in the school street area. We will decide these cases one by one, based on the evidence
- Blue Badge Holders
- Emergency services
- Waste Vehicles.
How to apply for an exemption as a resident
If you are a resident living in the school streets zone, you will need to complete our School street exemption application form.
How to apply for an exemption as a business
If you are a business operating in the school streets zone, you will need to complete our School street exemption application form.
How to apply for an exemption as a blue badge holder
If you visit a resident in the school streets zone and have a blue badge, ask the resident to fill out an application for you. The resident will have an active account with us and needs to make the application. The resident will need a copy of your Blue Badge (back and front), and your logbook (v5 form).
How to apply for an exemption as a parent of an SEN child or child with a Blue Badge
If you're the parent of an SEN child who finds the journey to school difficult or a child who has a blue badge, please talk to your respective school.
The school will gather the required details for parents who need an exemption. This includes vehicle registration numbers and a copy of the Blue Badge. The school will send these details to us. The headteacher will assess this on a case-by-case basis and grant the exemption at their discretion.
What to do if your child has a temporary issue and can’t walk the length of the school street
If your child has a temporary issue and finds it hard to walk, wheel, or scooter, please talk to the school staff, who can relay the message to us. We'll be able to give you temporary access to the school street.
What to do if you've got a visitor or a delivery coming to your house within the school streets area
You should let planned visitors know about your School Street. Visitors arriving by car are not eligible for an exemption for their vehicle unless they're a Blue Badge holder. They will need to use alternative modes of transport or park their vehicle on a nearby street and walk.
Home deliveries should avoid school streets during operating hours. Delivery companies can make the last part of the journey on foot or arrive outside of operating hours.
How will the school street be enforced
Motorists who break the rules may get a penalty charge notice (PCN). We use an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera. These cameras check the number plates of the vehicles that drive into the street. If the vehicle does not have an exemption, we may issue a PCN.
The school street has not been designed with punitive measures in mind. As such, the first time a driver without an exemption drives into the school street, they will get a warning letter during the first six months of enforcement. If you qualify for an exemption and have received a warning letter, you will get 14 days to apply for an exemption. You will not be fined in the meantime.
A warning letter will only be issued in the first 6 months of the go-live date of the scheme. After 6 months, the first time a driver without an exemption comes into the school street, a PCN will be issued.
Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) cost
The PCN is £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days.
How to challenge a PCN you've received
To challenge a PCN, please visit the web page appeal a parking fine.