Norfolk School Streets
Norfolk School Streets are timed road closures around selected schools in Norfolk. During pick-up and drop off times, certain roads will be closed to vehicles in order to allow children to travel safely to and from their school.
The Norfolk School Streets programme is a trial which aims to make the journey to and from school safer and more pleasant.
This trial, run by Norfolk County Council in partnership with Sustrans aims to improve the school journey for children, parents/carers and the local community.
On this page, you’ll find out more about what school streets are, how to get involved, and details of your local school street. You can also visit our FAQ section which should address most questions.
Use the links below to jump to the section you want, or scroll down to explore the page. If you’ve got any questions, get in touch with our team who will be happy to help.
What are School Streets?
School Streets are timed road closures around selected schools in Norfolk. These road closures aim to restrict vehicle access during drop-off and pick up times. During certain times, vehicles will not be permitted to enter the School Street unless they are exempt.
The School Streets initiative is being trialled here in Norfolk as it has been successful at cutting congestion around schools and boosting the number of children and parents cycling, walking, and wheeling to school elsewhere in the country.
The pilot has seen a lot of support from residents and parents and has already provided some very useful feedback. The Council will carefully consider the effectiveness and impact of School Streets before determining next steps.
What is the timeline?
January 2022
Delegated decision made by cabinet member Cllr Martin Wilby to trial School Streets in Norfolk
Spring 2022
Pre-trial monitoring of public opinion and local traffic
May 2022
Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) comes into force. Enables trial to take place legally. Runs for 18 months
Summer 2022
Mid-trial monitoring of public opinion and traffic flows
Autumn/Winter 2022
Analysis of data from monitoring and preparation of project report
March 2023
Cabinet decision on the future of School Streets in Norfolk
October 2023
ETRO expires. TRO can be made permanent at individual schools if approved
What are the benefits of School Streets?
We appreciate that any change will come with concerns. However, School Streets can provide many benefits to our communities and the health and wellbeing of our children and young people. These include:
Click on any of the above benefits to find out more!
If you have a question, why not check out our FAQ section to see if we’ve answered it already?
Previous School Streets Case Studies
School Streets started in 2015 in Scotland. Since then, School Streets have grown hugely with over 400 now in operation or trialled.
Other parts of the country have had positive results from their trials.
Number of schools: 10
Outcomes:
• Average speed reductions of 1.2mph
• 2,259 fewer vehicles on all streets surveyed
• Less than 20% of parents and residents perceived School Streets as a difficulty
• Only 15% of parents and residents thought that the streets with vehicle restrictions did not feel safer
• Air quality improvements with associated reductions in Nitrogen Oxides
Find out more: Click here to find out more about Edinburgh School Streets
Number of schools: 3
Outcomes:
• 70% of residents thought that the School Street scheme had a positive impact
• 90% of residents surveyed supported the continuation of the scheme
• Reduction in traffic volume of between 35% – 54% across the three sites
• Roughly a 25% reduction in the number of people driving to the school gates, 18% increase in park and stride take up, and 5% increase in walking
• Residents living in adjacent streets had not seen a significant increase in displacement parking as a result of the scheme.
• There were some issues around enforcement of new 20mph speed limits around the schools and the management of the permit scheme
Find out more: Click here to find out more about Solihull School Streets
Number of schools: 275 intervention schools and 221 control schools across 10 boroughs
Outcomes:
• 77% of those who responded to a survey support School Streets remaining in place permanently
• 76% of respondents thought School Streets should be rolled out more widely across London
• Walking to and from school increased 27% and cycling 5% with a corresponding drop in car travel by 12% and taxi by 16%
• Respondents from School Street schools are more satisfied with the ease and safety of active travel, along with air quality; there is still concern about danger from traffic, albeit significantly lower than Control Schools (those without School Streets)
• 40% of respondents thought there were more parking problems on the surrounding streets than this time last year but this was less than at control schools (48%)
Find out more: Click here to find out more about London School Streets
Find my local school street
Click on the name of the school to find out more about any planned closures. Please send any feedback directly to the school streets team in the Contact Us section.
Currently running
Trial ended
St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School
After concluding the monitoring phase at this school, and analysing all the data and feedback that was collected, we have decided not to progress with a School Street at St Augustine’s Catholic Primary.
Unfortunately, a School Street would not be the most effective option in the current context. However, we are committed to continuing our work with the school, children, parents, staff and local community to collect further feedback on what could be a suitable and effective way to address the issues that are clearly present.
Permits
Certain vehicles are exempt from the School Street and can drive within the closure area at walking pace. Exemptions include residents, business staff and customers, blue badge holders, emergency services, taxis and carers. For a full list of exemptions and further details please see the FAQs.
Tax disk style exemption permits will be issued to residents and regular visitors to the School Street before the trial begins. If you believe you should have received a permit, but it has not arrived a week before the School Street launches, please get in touch. Additional permits will be also available from the school reception with proof of address/exemption.
Become a School Streets Steward
Volunteering for School Streets can be an enjoyable way to contribute to, and make a difference in, your local community. A School Streets Steward will help to staff the barriers to ensure only exempted vehicles enter the School Street zone, and also to greet the children as they arrive and leave school.
There is no long term or regular commitment required and full training and support will be provided. Please contact us for more details.
Get in touch
We are really keen to hear your views on the School Street trial.
If you have questions, please contact us using the details below or check our FAQs section.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for in the FAQs please contact the Sustrans School Streets team below. Please do not email Active Norfolk directly.