Five ‘school streets’ across Haringey made permanent ‘benefiting thousands of pupils’

Introduced as trials in 2021 and 2022, the scheme benefits almost 3,500 children in the borough to walk, cycle and wheel to school and improve air quality and road safety at the school gates.

Haringey’s cabinet have decided to retain the school streets at Coleridge Primary, in Crouch End Hill, Earlham Primary, in Earlham Grove, and the The Mulberry Primary, in Parkhurst Road.

They are also being made permanent outside the Harris Primary Academy and Harris Academy Tottenham at drop-off and pick-up times during term times.

School streets launched as a green post-pandemic programme to close roads outside schools for an hour-and-a-half at opening and closing times.

Proponents say they aim to improve air quality and road safety around school gates, however critics say such moves simply create more traffic and congestion elsewhere.

Vehicles are not permitted to enter the zone between these times unless they have been granted an exemption which are applied ‘virtually’ and enforced by camera.

Motorists with an exemption, including emergency services, have unhindered access to the road network. 

The penalty charge issued for driving into a school street is £130, reduced to £65 if paid within 14 days.

Haringey has one of the fastest growing school streets programmes with 23 already implemented and consultation on a further 10 undertaken at the end of 2022 as part of the council’s Streets for People initiative.

Cllr Mike Hakata, deputy leader and cabinet member for climate action, environment and transport, said: “We are very proud of our rapidly expanding School Streets programme, and the part it plays building a fairer, greener borough for our young people.

“The evidence is clear that pupils benefit from being able to walk, cycle or wheel to school in cleaner air and safer streets.

“I’m delighted we’re making five more Streets for People schemes permanent and many more communities will have the opportunity for healthier and active lives.”

In making the five School Streets permanent the council considered feedback from residents and the schools, alongside traffic monitoring, a spokesperson said.