Richmond Council is set to expand its popular School Streets programme, aiming to create safer environments for children travelling to and from school. The Transport and Air Quality Committee has approved the progression of Phase 7 of the initiative, which will involve pre-trial consultations with local councillors, schools, and residents to assess the feasibility of implementing School Streets at eight identified schools.
The School Streets programme creates part-time pedestrian and cycle zones near schools, with the goals of enhancing child safety, encouraging active travel, and reducing air pollution. The committee also agreed to delegate authority for approving final designs and implementation to the Executive Director for Growth and Place.
Timeline and Implementation
The typical timeline for the pre-trial consultation process and subsequent implementation of a School Street involves several stages. These consultations are conducted with local residents, the school, and ward councillors to agree on the best approach for each school, including the size of the school street, operational hours, and type of enforcement. Following this, School Streets are initially installed as trials, which are implemented by an experimental traffic order. This allows for monitoring and a formal consultation period that runs for six months alongside the trial. Within 18 months of the trial starting, the council must decide whether to retain, remove, or amend the School Street, based on observations, representations, and monitoring data.
Addressing Concerns
Potential challenges and concerns raised in previous phases of the School Streets programme, such as traffic displacement onto other roads, are being addressed. The Council carefully assesses traffic conditions in the immediate area and will consider remedial measures, if required.
While there may be an initial period of adjustment, previous schemes have resulted in significant improvements over time.
Public skepticism has also been noted, but in general many of those concerns haven't materialized and people have been impressed by the safety improvements for young people in the area.
Provisions for Access
Essential vehicle access, including for disabled individuals and emergency services, will be maintained during restricted hours. With ANPR camera enforced schemes, an exemption list is set up for residents, businesses, school staff, and other eligible drivers. Blue Badge holders requiring access to a property within a School Street are eligible to apply for exemption. For the Lowther School Street trial, there will be an opportunity for emergency access into the area.
Budget and Funding
A total capital budget of £1.188m has been allocated to the School Streets programme since its inception, of which £0.44m remains available. The recommendations for Phase 7 can be met from the existing approved capital programme budget. Additionally, for the St James' school street and wider school street enhancement work, the Council is utilising £150,000 from TfL during 2026/27 for delivery, with Council funding to be used for ongoing implementation and enhancements during 2027/28.
Measuring Success
Beyond enhanced child safety and reduced air pollution, the programme aims to support active travel to and from schools
and has succeeded in reducing traffic volumes outside schools
in previous phases. In the large majority of cases, school streets have become accepted and welcomed locally.
The council will measure the impact of the new School Streets on active travel rates and local air quality through monitoring data. This includes undertaking automated traffic counts (ATC's) of the school street road and surrounding roads that may be impacted
and requesting schools to engage in a travel to school survey which is then used as a baseline.
Around the six-month mark of a trial, these counts and surveys are repeated for comparison. Schools are also requested to use the TfL Travel for Life portal for their travel to school surveys.
More information can be found in the Public reports pack Monday 07 Sep 2026 19 00 Transport and Air Quality Committee.
