Lambeth pledges school street at every primary school by 2027

Lambeth Council has pledged to introduce a School Street outside every eligible primary school in the borough by March 2027, extending protections designed to cut air pollution and improve road safety for children, families and school staff.

The commitment will see the remaining 10 primary schools not located on main roads receive part-time traffic restrictions, building on the 45 School Streets already serving 50 schools across Lambeth. The programme temporarily restricts vehicle access during school drop-off and pick-up times, reducing traffic outside school gates and creating safer, cleaner spaces.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air, Cllr Rezina Chowdhury dsaid: ‘We’re taking bold action to protect children from harmful air pollution and road danger outside their schools.

‘The school gates should be a place of safety, free from toxic air and road danger. Pupils, parents and teachers have told us loud and clear: oversized SUVs that belch harmful pollutants and have bonnets taller than many primary-age children aren’t welcome outside our schools.

‘Rolling out School Streets to all eligible schools means we can make Lambeth a borough with the best opportunities for our children to grow up and age well.’

School Streets are enforced through traffic orders, signage and camera monitoring. Residents, businesses and Blue Badge holders who require access during restricted times can apply for exemption permits.

Beyond improving safety and air quality, the schemes aim to encourage active travel, helping more families walk, wheel or cycle to school. In some locations, planters have also been installed to create greener, more welcoming public spaces and support local biodiversity.

A recent Clean Cities Campaign report found Lambeth has the highest proportion of School Streets in London, contributing to the capital’s position as the European city with the most such schemes.

On February 12th, Lambeth hosted the School Streets South conference at Lambeth Town Hall for the fourth time, bringing together councils and campaigners to explore expansion plans, including extending the model to secondary schools.