Norfolk School Streets

Norfolk School Streets are timed road closures around selected schools in Norfolk. During pick-up and drop off times, certain roads will be closed to vehicles in order to allow children to travel safely to and from their school.

The Norfolk School Streets programme is a trial which aims to make the journey to and from school safer and more pleasant.

This trial, run by Norfolk County Council in partnership with Sustrans aims to improve the school journey for children, parents/carers and the local community.

On this page, you’ll find out more about what school streets are, how to get involved, and details of your local school street. You can also visit our FAQ section which should address most questions.

Dad and two daughters walking home from school

Use the links below to jump to the section you want, or scroll down to explore the page. If you’ve got any questions, get in touch with our team who will be happy to help.

What are school streets?

What are the benefits of school streets?

School Streets and Permits

Give feedback or get in touch

FAQs

What are School Streets?

School Streets are timed road closures around selected schools in Norfolk. These road closures aim to restrict vehicle access during drop-off and pick up times. During certain times, vehicles will not be permitted to enter the School Street unless they are exempt.

The School Streets initiative is being trialled here in Norfolk as it has been successful at cutting congestion around schools and boosting the number of children and parents cycling, walking, and wheeling to school elsewhere in the country.

The pilot has seen a lot of support from residents and parents and has already provided some very useful feedback. The Council will carefully consider the effectiveness and impact of School Streets before determining next steps.

Young people walking and cycling into school

What is the timeline?

January 2022

Delegated decision made by cabinet member Cllr Martin Wilby to trial School Streets in Norfolk

Spring 2022

Pre-trial monitoring of public opinion and local traffic

May 2022

Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) comes into force. Enables trial to take place legally. Runs for 18 months

Summer 2022

Mid-trial monitoring of public opinion and traffic flows

Autumn/Winter 2022

Analysis of data from monitoring and preparation of project report

March 2023

Cabinet decision on the future of School Streets in Norfolk

October 2023

ETRO expires. TRO can be made permanent at individual schools if approved

What are the benefits of School Streets?

We appreciate that any change will come with concerns. However, School Streets can provide many benefits to our communities and the health and wellbeing of our children and young people. These include:

Less traffic around schools

Makes the roads safer for vulnerable users

Improved air quality and reduction in associated risks

Helps to address the climate emergency

More pupils walking, scooting, cycling and wheeling to school

Improvements to physical and mental health

Improved behaviour and concentration in pupils who have travelled actively

Calmer and more pleasant environment at the school gate

Click on any of the above benefits to find out more!

If you have a question, why not check out our FAQ section to see if we’ve answered it already?

Previous School Streets Case Studies

School Streets started in 2015 in Scotland. Since then, School Streets have grown hugely with over 400 now in operation or trialled.

Other parts of the country have had positive results from their trials.

Edinburgh School Streets

Solihull School Streets

London School Streets

Find my local school street

Click on the name of the school to find out more about any planned closures. Please send any feedback directly to the school streets team in the Contact Us section.

Currently running

Robert Kett Primary School

Trial ended

St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School

Dussindale Primary School

Browick Road Primary School

Nelson Infant School

Wensum Junior School

Permits

Certain vehicles are exempt from the School Street and can drive within the closure area at walking pace. Exemptions include residents, business staff and customers, blue badge holders, emergency services, taxis and carers. For a full list of exemptions and further details please see the FAQs.

Tax disk style exemption permits will be issued to residents and regular visitors to the School Street before the trial begins. If you believe you should have received a permit, but it has not arrived a week before the School Street launches, please get in touch. Additional permits will be also available from the school reception with proof of address/exemption.

Become a School Streets Steward

Volunteering for School Streets can be an enjoyable way to contribute to, and make a difference in, your local community. A School Streets Steward will help to staff the barriers to ensure only exempted vehicles enter the School Street zone, and also to greet the children as they arrive and leave school.

There is no long term or regular commitment required and full training and support will be provided. Please contact us for more details.

Get in touch

We are really keen to hear your views on the School Street trial.

If you have questions, please contact us using the details below or check our FAQs section.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for in the FAQs please contact the Sustrans School Streets team below. Please do not email Active Norfolk directly.

Check out the Norfolk School Streets FAQs

School Streets Team

To answer all your school streets queries

[email protected]

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Norfolk School Streets