Help us create safer streets for our children
We are working with local schools to improve road safety at peak times.
Since 2021 we have successfully implemented 13 School Streets across the borough. For a full list of our live School Streets follow this link: Where are the School Streets? | London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (lbbd.gov.uk)
We plan to introduce School Streets to create pedestrian and cycle-only zones outside the school gate at pick up and drop off times, and to consider other means of reducing rat-running and traffic danger for our children.
We will also be working with the children and parents to encourage walking, cycling and even scooting to school.
Our aim is to transform busy, congested, and polluted school roads into safer, healthier, more pleasant environments. This will reduce the nuisance caused to residents during the school run.
School Streets will operate on weekdays during term time only, typically between 8am to 9.15am and 2.45pm to 4pm.
Unless stated otherwise, the School Streets restrictions are enforced by automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras. Unless a vehicle has been exempted, these cameras will issue a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) to any vehicle driving into a School Street during the operating hours.
The School Streets Exemption Policy can be viewed here: 10082023_Exemption Policy update_website.pdf (lbbd.gov.uk)
The terms and conditions for anyone receiving a vehicle exemption can be viewed here: 09082023 SS TandCs.pdf (lbbd.gov.uk)
Our FAQs can be viewed here: School Street FAQs | London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (lbbd.gov.uk)
Upcoming School Streets
We are developing proposals for additional School Streets to be delivered in 2024, at the following schools:
- Furze Infant School
- Godwin Primary School
- Manor Primary School
- Valence Primary School
- Thomas Arnold Primary School
To meet TfL funding requirements, schools are required to have submitted a Travel for Life School Travel Plan at bronze accreditation or above. Failure to do so risks a delay in installation of their School Street.
When we have confirmed launch dates, we will announce them here and on each school’s page that will be linked below. We will also provide information to nearby residents and the school communities. We will not enforce School Streets until the implementation dates are confirmed.
You may see signs and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras being installed, but we will give notice to everyone before we begin enforcement.
We will write to everyone with full details in advance and we will advise you how and when you can apply for an exemption.
More information on School Streets and how to apply for exemptions is available by following this link: School Streets | London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (lbbd.gov.uk)
Find out what is being proposed at your local school
Why School Streets?
School Streets:
- Make it safer and easier to walk and cycle to school
- Improve air quality at the school
- Reduce congestion
- Create a more pleasant environment for everyone
In Barking and Dagenham, 24% of morning rush hour traffic is made up of vehicles travelling to schools, and research from TfL suggests the school run adds 254,000 to London roads. Collisions, speeding, inconsiderate or unlawful parking, and idling are well-known issues near schools. Between 8am to 9am and 3pm to 7pm an estimated 16 children are killed or seriously injured each week in England.
Air pollution can be five times higher during the school run than at other times of day and children and the elderly are most affected by air pollution. Air pollution has been linked to asthma, heart disease and poor lung development. Travelling actively benefits our health and is good for the environment.
More than 500 School Streets are currently operating across London. They transform congested, hectic, and polluted school roads into safer, cleaner, and more pleasant environments. A 2021 report found that School Streets:
- Reduce air pollution at the school gates by 23%
- Tackle congestion by both reducing traffic outside the school gates and reducing it overall
- Make the school run feel safer
- Enjoy high levels of support once implemented.