School Streets Barnsley's story
School Streets is a programme developed by Living Streets that can make school streets car-free during peak times of day when there are lots of children around and safety really matters.
Our School Streets project in Barnsley involved temporary road closure trials that removed high volumes of vehicle traffic and transformed roads outside 12 schools into enjoyable and safer places for people. We believe our school streets should be safe for children to walk, cycle or scoot to school and where residents and businesses aren't inconvenienced by high volumes of school-run traffic.
Our School Street project had lots of objectives: empower more families to walk, scoot and cycle to school; improve road safety by eliminating non-essential vehicle traffic; improve health and wellbeing through increased physical activity; reduce harmful vehicle emissions outside schools; raise awareness about the health problems linked to poor air quality and inactivity; improve the quality of life for local residents, pupils and parents; reduce the stress and tension everyone faces at drop-off and pick-up times; gauge public support for more school street events or permanent schemes in future.
Our advice
School Street trials can use a temporary traffic regulation order to legally close a road. This can be as simple as contacting your local authority and completing a form. There may be teams within the authority that can offer advice but there are a number of things you will need to consider.
School streets are best suited to roads that only experience high volumes of traffic at school run times. Major roads, bus routes and long diversions are best avoided.
Schools that already promote active travel initiatives or who have staff and parents willing to cycle or walk more often are likely to benefit most.
Plan a date and the extent of your road closure 6-12 weeks beforehand. Avoid bin collection days.
Create a traffic management plan. Effective, legally compliant signage as well as well-located barriers and diversions can avoid traffic problems.
Complete a detailed risk assessment.
Traffic management companies can be contracted to plan and implement a closure, but it is possible to rely on volunteer marshals.
Contact all residents, businesses and organisations that may be affected by the closure. Explain why you are closing the road and why it is important. Their feedback may mean you need to review your plan but get them involved where possible.
Consider what alternative modes of travel are available and promote them. Are there a suitable "park and stride" locations, cycle routes or public transport options? Could you arrange a walking bus or bike train? Are there other initiatives or incentives available to support active travel?
Consider how you will use the road. Playing out sessions, drama performances, PE lessons or road safety workshops are simple options.
Consider how you will manage access for emergency services, local residents, blue badge holders and deliveries. Ensure everyone understands the plan for the day (timetables, activities, marshals etc).
Promote the event and activities to all stakeholders. Invite local dignitaries, councillors and press.
Carry out monitoring before, during and after the event to assess the impact you have had on the number of car journeys to school. Gather as much feedback from as many stakeholders as possible.
Our Changeprint
Our Changeprint can be measured by improvements to road safety around schools; health and wellness benefits through more walking, wheeling and cycling to schools; better local air quality; and by improving the quality of life for local residents, pupils and parents.
