Who cannot access the School Street
One of the goals of a School Street is to make the roads leading to school gates safer by having fewer cars drive there.
This helps more children walk or ride bikes to school. If too many cars are allowed to ignore the rule, it won’t work properly. That is why only really important cases can get special permission to drive there.
The examples below show who may get permission, but not everyone will.
Residents living near a School Street
Residents living outside of the designated School Street zone will not be exempt from the restrictions and will not be permitted to enter during operational times.
Businesses near to a School Street
Vehicles registered to businesses near a School Street zone will not be exempt from the restrictions and will not be permitted to enter during operational times.
Visitors
General visitors to properties within the School Street zone will not be exempt from the restrictions, including those visiting the school. During restricted times visitors will need to make alternative arrangements, such as parking outside of the restricted zone.
Vehicles belonging to visitors that are already within the School Street before the times of operation will be able to leave without getting a PCN.
At first, some people who live near the school were concerned that they could not get visitor permits. But after the scheme started, those concerns were not a problem as since fewer parents were driving, it became easier for visitors to find parking near the school. Please note visitors can leave the area at any time. The restriction is for access only.
Deliveries
Deliveries to homes in the School Street area must follow the rules, even if the delivery is going to the school.
Drivers can usually park nearby and walk the package to the house or school. Many delivery drivers have trolleys for larger packages that they cannot carry.
If you shop online, there is usually a section where you can leave a note for the delivery driver. You can use this to tell them what times the School Street rules are in place.
Large delivery trucks can be dangerous because they block views.
On streets that do not go through (dead ends), it is harder for drivers to turn around, which can be dangerous for children nearby.
Because of this, the effect on home deliveries is considered small and acceptable.
Taxis
Taxis must follow the School Street rules and can not enter during the restricted times.
If you have a mobility issue and need taxi services we will look at each case separately. Email schoolstreets@ealing.gov.uk for more information.
Tradesmen
Tradesmen must follow the School Street rules and must not enter the closure during restricted times. Please let them know in advance of the restriction times.
School staff
Most staff are not exempt from the restrictions and will not receive permits for ANPR enforced schemes unless they are a blue badge holder and have a valid permit exemption.
A limited number of staff permits are available and these will be allocated by the headteacher. The headteacher must apply for permits to allow access the School Street for allocated staff. All school staff can leave the area at any time.
Parent or carers of children at a school within the School Street
Parents or carers dropping or collecting children from school will not be exempt from the restrictions and are not allowed to enter the School Street in their vehicle.
They can enter the School Street if they or their child is a blue badge holder, or they are a resident of the designated School Street zone and have a valid permit exemption. They can apply at School Streets vehicle exemption form
School Streets schemes are not designed to punish parents or stop them from driving to school.
The rule only stops cars from driving on certain streets near the school during busy times. Parents who need to drive will need to legally park nearby and walk the rest of the way.
There may be places to park like:
- supermarkets
- leisure centres
- special “Park & Stride” areas (where you park and walk a short distance)
Most children live close to their school:
- 86 out of 100 live within 1 mile — that’s about a 20-minute walk
- 63 out of 100 live within a 10-minute walk
At many schools, lots of children already walk or cycle. Also, many cars driving past schools are not dropping off children, they are just using the road as a shortcut.