School Streets
What are School Streets?
School Streets is a national initiative which introduces a temporary restriction on traffic, making roads outside schools into pedestrian and cyclist zones at peak times during term time.
The roads covered by the School Street restriction will become a walking/wheeling, scooting, and cycling zone. Traffic will be restricted for up to an hour at school drop-off and pick-up times in the morning and afternoon. Local residents and emergency vehicles will be exempt from the restriction.
Why are School Streets schemes being trialled in Cumbria?
Several School Street initiatives have been trialled around Cumbria to help reduce air pollution and keep children safe from traffic. Local Concil Committees for Barrow, Carlisle, Copeland, and South Lakeland all agreed to implement the experimental Traffic Regulation Order for some schools in their districts, with the aim of reducing traffic and improving air quality.
This scheme will help with the council’s priorities:
- to safeguard children and ensure that Cumbria is a great place to be a child and grow up;
- to enable communities to live safely and shape services locally;
- to support climate action to deliver net zero;
- and to provide safe and well-maintained roads and an effective transport network.
How can my school find out more about the School Street Scheme?
If you would like to register interest in your school taking part in any possible future School Street Schemes, then please contact Active Travel Officers Jodie Laird (Cumberland) or Jennifer Free (Westmorland and Furness) in the first instance.
Please click here to find out more about other active travel initiatives that we are currently offering to enable more children to walk, wheel and cycle to school.