What is a School Street?

    A School Street is a stretch of road outside a school that is temporarily closed to traffic during school drop off and pick-up times. This then limits traffic in the road outside the school at key times and creates a predominantly car free zone resulting in a safer and more pleasant environment for everyone around the school. The scheme encourages travelling to school by walking and cycling or scooting.

    Can I still drive on a School Street?

    Vehicles will not be allowed to enter the School Street when it is in operation (during school drop-off and pick up times) unless exempt.

    Exemptions include:

    • Vehicles displaying a valid School Streets permit 
    • Blue badge holders residing at or visiting properties within the restricted roads, or accessing the school
    • School buses and school transport services serving the school.
    • Public transport 
    • Taxis serving properties within the restricted roads 
    • Emergency services, doctors on call, district nurses, carers and support workers working at the properties on the restricted roads
    • Statutory public services/utilities (gas, electricity, water, telecoms companies) working at the properties on the restricted roads
    • Tradespeople serving properties within the restricted roads
    • Delivery and postal services

    Motorists are required to drive carefully during the School Street operation times. Residents who live on the School Street (or require access to their property) will be exempt but will need to apply for a permit. All residents will receive a letter from the council to explain this and how to apply. If you have not received a letter please email schoolstreets@wirral.gov.uk

    When will the School Street be in operation?

    For the operating times for each of the School Streets, please visit the dedicated page below.

    The operational hours of the School Street will also be indicated on the road signs at the school.

    Why are you introducing a School Street?

    A School Street reduces the build-up of traffic outside school gates for local residents and those using the school and creates a safer, healthier and happier environment for children, families and people in the community.

    Are there any other School Streets?

    Greenleas Primary School in Wallasey was the first school to launch in Wirral. There are many School Streets around the country, and where they are in place, more children are encouraged to wheel and walk to school.

    What if I can’t walk or cycle to school?

    Wirral Council understand that it is not always possible for everyone to walk, cycle or scoot to and/or from school. Certain people and vehicles will be exempt from the School Street restrictions and the council will work with the schools involved and their community to make sure that alternative suggestions are considered.

    Where can I park to drop my child/children off?

    Please see the map attached to this page showing which roads will be closed.

    We are actively encouraging people to walk, cycle or scoot to school. If you have limited options to do this due to work commitments etc, we would encourage people to park and stride for the remainder of the journey. The council will work with the schools involved and their community to make sure that alternative suggestions are considered.

    If you are parking on roads outside of the School Street zone please be considerate of residents (for example, by not parking over driveways) and existing parking restrictions.

    Family or friends sometimes drop off or pick my child(ren) up from school, what do I need to do?

    If you are a parent or carer, share this information with any other people who may drop off or pick up your children from school. It is important that they are aware of the School Street Zone to avoid receiving a fine or points on their licence.

    How will you run the scheme?

    A dedicated Active Travel Officer will help introduce and support the School Street and the local community. Signs will be introduced to show where the School Street zone is and to inform motorists of the hours of operation. 

    Restrictions will initially be enforced by Merseyside Police. NSL Services Limited provide parking enforcement on behalf of the council.

    How long will the rules be in place?

    Wirral Council are working with each of the schools to introduce the School Streets scheme for a trial period of 18 months. As it is a trial, each of the School Streets will be reviewed throughout this time and if the trials are considered successful, Wirral Council will look to make the School Streets permanent.

    How is the scheme enforced?

    Entering the School Street zone without a valid exemption is classed as a prohibition of driving and could result in a £50 fine.

    NSL (the council’s parking contractor) will continue to enforce drivers who contravene the parking restrictions.

    What about the weekends and during the holidays?

    The scheme will only operate during the week, Monday to Friday, during school drop-off and pick-up times. The restrictions will operate during term time only but please note that these dates may vary year on year.

    I'm a resident, can I have a visitor permit?

    Residents can apply for visitor permits, but where possible visitors should visit outside of the School Street operation times. 

    If you haven’t received a letter, please email schoolstreets@wirral.gov.uk

    I'm a resident, is there anything else I need to do?

    Once you have applied for your permit, display it in your vehicle. 

    If you live on the School Street, please inform visitors and family members of the restrictions so that visits can ideally be planned outside of the operating hours. 

    How is the scheme being introduced?

    The School Street scheme will be delivered through an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO). We are inviting comments, questions, support for the scheme or objections (setting out your reasoning) to decide if the scheme should be made permanent.

    Each of the School Streets will be trialled for 18 months. During the 18 months, the council will closely monitor the School Streets and listen to feedback and ideas shared to help us decide if it is working for each of the schools and their local communities and will achieve the goals of creating a calmer environment, reducing traffic build-up and improving air quality.

    How are the schemes funded?

    The project is being funded by the Combined Authority Transport Plan Capital Programme and Department for Transport Active Travel Fund Tranche 2.

    What if I have another question?

    If you have another question, you can get in touch with the council by emailing schoolstreets@wirral.gov.uk