Police enforcement of School Streets programme - Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
Published 19 November 2024
Applies to England
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Background
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council introduced School Streets at three schools in September 2017 - the first authority to do so in England outside of London. Three more sites were added in 2020, a further three in 2022 and two more in 2024. Nine of the sites are non-through roads, one includes a stretch of road outside the school gates, and one is a more expansive scheme that includes roads at the front and back of the school and which affects non-school related traffic.
What they did
When School Streets launched in Solihull, local traffic authorities outside London were not permitted to use camera enforcement and, due to the number of residents entitled to permits, the management of physical barriers was not thought to be sustainable. Enforcement of restrictions has, therefore, been reliant on local neighbourhood police who were consulted prior to the commencement of each scheme.
With the current method of enforcement, Solihull has found it easier and more effective to run schemes at non-through road sites, which place less demand on police resources.
Results / what happens next
Local residents and the school community have generally remained supportive of School Streets. All the schemes in Solihull have been successful in increasing sustainable travel to school and reducing levels of traffic.
With the current method of enforcement, Solihull has found it easier and more effective to run schemes at non-through road sites, which involve less demand on police resources.
A key supporting factor has been encouraging schools to take up an extensive programme of sustainable travel initiatives, including cycle and scooter training, WOW, walk to school, pedestrian training and providing help with school travel plans.
The School Streets programme is making an important contribution to Solihull’s Net Zero Action Plan and Clean Air Strategy and the council continues to receive requests from school communities to introduce further schemes.