Ealing School Streets

Who can access the School Street

Vehicles registered to residents and businesses within a School Street, and carers with official notification of their duties, can apply for a free permit, which always allows access to the zone. Some other vehicles, that are approved by Ealing Council and included in the Traffic Management Order, will receive dispensation such as emergency service vehicles and contract school transport dropping or picking up pupils from the school or their home address if it is within a School Street scheme.

The impact on refuse collection has been considered in collaboration with the council’s Waste and Recycling team. As with all transport schemes, we also consult with the Emergency Services on any change to their routes and access.

We also offer special dispensation, on a case-by-case basis, to those that have particular circumstances that mean they are unable to drive themselves. Residents can contact us if they have concerns or feel they have special circumstances.

Delivery vehicles, tradespeople and visitors are not eligible for permits.

All vehicles must be registered and have a valid permit to enter the closure without penalty. Other vehicles, entering the School Street during operational hours will be issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).

If you live within a  scheme and your vehicle is registered at your address within the scheme, please apply online for a permit. Permits are issued at no cost to the applicant.

Permits do not need to be renewed annually. You only need to reapply if you change your vehicle.

Residents

Residents within the School Street zone will be provided with dispensation to exempt them from the restrictions, provided that their vehicle is registered to an address within the designated scheme. School Street permits for residents are free of charge and there will be no limit on the number of permits residents can apply for. 

Businesses

Businesses within the School Street zone will be provided with dispensation to exempt vehicles registered to an address within the designated scheme. Employee vehicles are not exempt. School Street permits are free of charge. 

Blue Badge holders

The following blue badge holders can apply for a permit:

  • those that work at a school or business within the School Street
  • those that need to drop a child to a school within the School Street
  • parents or guardians of a child with a Blue Badge attending a school in the School Street

Blue Badge holders must apply for ‘Special Dispensation’ for their vehicle and must upload a clear, colour copy of both sides of their Blue Badge, along with proof of address and a letter from the school or your employer whose business is within the scheme.

Please note that Blue Badge holders who drive through an ANPR enforced School Street without applying and receiving confirmation that their application was successful will be issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN)

Carers

Carers that have official notification of their duties are exempt from the School Street restriction and are eligible for permits to provide care for a resident living within a School Street. They can apply for special dispensation and need to provide a copy of the official notification that they are visiting a resident within the School Street for care duties. The official notification could be, for example, a letter on headed paper from an NHS professional (such as a GP) or from a council professional (such as a social worker).

Carers can also apply for Ealing Council's carer's emergency card to provide evidence of care duties. 

We are able to offer special dispensation to residents with disabilities, mobility issues and those that have particular circumstances that mean they are unable to drive themselves. Their unique situations will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact schoolstreets@ealing.gov.uk for further information and advice.

Traffic Order Exemptions

The Traffic Management Order will exempt the following motor vehicles. All exemptions must be approved and a School Street permit issued prior to entry to the School Street pedestrian and cycle zone:

  1. motor vehicles granted with a relevant permit
  2. vehicles being used for police, ambulance or fire brigade
  3. buses being used in the service of Ealing Council or a school for transporting children
  4. carers of residents residing in the school street
  5. parents or carers of a disabled child at the school
  6. disabled person’s badge holder
  1. who works in the prescribed street or
  2. that is dropping off and collecting pupils in the prescribed street which has been granted or registered with a relevant permit
  1. vehicles used in the service of a local authority in pursuance of statutory powers or duties
  2. vehicles being used in connection with the maintenance, improvement, reconstruction, cleansing or lighting of any prescribed street or of any road accessible only therefrom, or the laying, erection, alteration or repair of any sewer thereunder or of any main, pipe or apparatus for the supply of gas, water or electricity, or of any communications network thereunder or thereon, or the placing, maintenance or removal of any traffic sign thereon; or
  3. to anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform
  4. to any person who causes any vehicle to proceed in accordance with any restriction or requirement indicated by traffic signs placed pursuant to section 66 or 67 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984
  5. in relation to vehicles being used for the following purposes and only if that vehicle cannot be used for that purpose in any other length of road or at any other time and provided that in all the circumstances it is reasonably necessary in the exercise of such duties for that vehicle to proceed in any prescribed street: -
    1. for the removal of any obstruction to traffic
    2. in connection with building, excavation or demolition operations

All motor vehicles entering the School Street pedestrian and cycle zone must have an approved School Street permit.

What if I am already parked inside the scheme when it comes into operation?

All vehicles parked in the scheme can leave the area at any time. The restriction is for access only.

View further information on School Street permits