School Streets: guidance for local authorities - Case study: Cardiff Council

In January 2020, Cardiff Council launched 5 School Streets as pilot projects. 

The initiative has since expanded to 19 School Streets, reducing traffic at 22 schools across the city. 

School Streets are a key component of the council’s broader active travel schools programme, which supports schools in developing and implementing Active Travel Plans. This programme includes interventions such as cycle training, cycle shelters, the Living Streets WOW travel tracker, and school bike/scooter fleets.

The active travel schools team collaborates closely with the education department to ensure that new schools funded through Welsh Government Band B have integrated active travel provisions.

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Cardiff Council’s School Streets are implemented through timed vehicle access restrictions enforced by automatic number-plate recognition (ANPR) cameras using Moving Traffic Offences powers. Residents, blue badge holders, carers, and businesses/community premises can apply for free School Street permits.

These permits are linked to residents' parking permits, where applicable, to streamline the application process. Collaboration with the Council’s enforcement and parking services teams has been crucial in delivering School Streets.

Pencaerau Primary School

One of the first pilot schools, Pencaerau Primary School, introduced its School Street in January 2020 using an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order, which became permanent in 2021. 

The school, located in a small cul-de-sac, had long-standing safety concerns regarding parking and driving behaviour. 

Keeping our children safe is always our first priority. Being part of the Cardiff Council's School Streets initiative ensures that our children can walk safely into and out of the school. The scheme has been well received by the whole school community, and we know that keeping our children safe is everyone's responsibility.” - school spokesperson

Lawrenny Avenue is a recent addition to the School Streets initiative, introduced in September 2023 to support 3 schools with a combined total of 2,300 pupils. The relocation of Fitzalan High School to the junction of Lawrenny Avenue and Leckwith Road, a busy arterial route, necessitated the introduction of the School Street to mitigate safety risks for pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users.

The School Street was implemented alongside a new highway and footway layout at the junction and new crossing facilities on Leckwith Road. The Active Travel Team facilitated a 'park and stride' arrangement from a nearby car park and supported the primary school in setting up a walking bus, incentivised by sourcing a fleet of scooters to promote active travel.

The School Streets initiative has been well received by the school community, with positive feedback highlighting improved safety for children. The scheme is part of a broader effort to increase active travel for school journeys through targeted interventions and behaviour change support. School Streets address safety concerns from schools, residents, local ward members and council officers, and aim to reduce congestion, improve relationships between schools and their communities, and decrease air/noise pollution.

The initiative supports Cardiff’s ambition to be a ‘Child Friendly City’ by prioritising public space for children and their families during peak times. It also aligns with the Well-Being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013.

Cardiff Council’s School Streets initiative demonstrates a successful approach to improving safety and promoting active travel for school journeys. By addressing traffic congestion and safety concerns, the initiative fosters a safer, healthier, and more community-oriented environment for students and their families.