Riders in London have been advised that the roll out of School Streets is accelerating in Haringey, with eight new schemes set to revolutionise journeys for 4,500 children at 13 of the borough’s schools.
School Streets aim to encourage more children to travel to and from school on foot, bike or push scooter, cutting air pollution and creating a more pleasant environment at the school gates. They also improve safety, as the children are not sharing the road with cars, vans and powered bikes.
As a result they ban all mechanised vehicles while they are in operation – and that means motorcycles, scooters and mopeds as well as cars and vans.
Haringey has one of the fastest growing School Streets programmes and aims to increase the number to 61 by 2026.
At those already introduced, the number of children walking and cycling is up, while traffic has reduced by 42% and vehicle emissions (NOx) are down by 26%.
The eight School Streets will be introduced at the following 13 educational establishments:
- Coleridge Primary School (Crescent Road)
- Lancasterian Primary School and The Vale Primary School
- Lea Valley Primary, Duke’s Aldridge Academy and The Vale Secondary School
- North Harringay Primary School
- South Harringay Infant School and South Harringay Junior School
- St Mary’s CofE Primary School
- St Mary’s Priory RC Infant School and St Mary’s Priory RC Junior School
- Stroud Green Primary School
The exact times of School Streets can vary from school to school, but each one will be in operation at set times in the morning and afternoon, usually for 1 to 1-and-a-half hours at the start and end of the school day, Monday to Friday, during term time.
If a School Street is on your usual commute at these times you will have to find a way round. Exemptions are available – but be warned, School Streets will be enforced by camera.
Cllr Mike Hakata, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Environment and Transport, said:
"School Streets are a crucial part of our plans to reduce air pollution, support active travel and improve road safety for children. It’s great to see so many school journeys being transformed by our rapidly expanding programme and the high level of parent and teacher support. We’re really proud to be introducing eight more School Streets, which will support thousands more children to travel to school in safer, healthier streets.”
Key information
All School Street areas are clearly signposted. Vehicles are not allowed to enter a School Street during the times of operation unless they have a valid exemption.
School Streets are enforced across the borough, and riders who contravene a restriction may be issued a penalty charge notice (PCN) issued using an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera.
The penalty charge issued for driving into a School Street is £130, reduced to £65 if paid within 14 days.
