With the new school term underway, more children than ever are expected to be making the journey on foot, by bike or scooter.

Since Ealing Council’s school streets programme began back in 2020, almost 30 of the borough’s schools have signed up to the scheme.

Part of being a school street means the roads around a school are closed to most vehicles at school opening and closing times, helping children arriving or leaving to be safer from traffic.

Most pupils live within a 20-minute walk or a short cycle ride to school. Most primary school aged children in the borough live within 1 mile of their school, more than 80% of secondary school students live within 2 miles.

Expanding the number of school streets is part of the council’s commitment to fight the climate crisis, cut air pollution and support active forms of travel for residents of all ages.

Leading the way

Perivale Primary School, in Federal Road, was one of the first to join the scheme. Headteacher, Daniel Upfield, said: “So many of our families are walking, scooting and biking here. Parents and children talk to one another more along the way too, it encourages social interaction.

“The roads around the school are quite narrow and I think children would feel less safe travelling to school if the school street wasn’t in place – and I expect more would travel by car.”

‘Keeping children safe’

Blair Peach Primary School, in Beaconsfield Road, Southall, became a school street last year as a measure to help keep its children safe.

Headteacher, Neil Crosbie, said: “The impact of this scheme has been fantastic. It has been brilliant to see children walk to school safely.

“It’s important to be a part of something much bigger than just our street and our school. This is about changing mindsets about walking to school and keeping children safe.”

Transport for London also offers a school travel accreditation scheme that helps schools and nurseries that aims to inspire young Londoners to travel to school sustainably, actively, responsibly and safely by championing walking, scooting and cycling.