Safer school streets for Brent school children

The council is installing CCTV cameras for enforcement on our school streets, which are when roads outside schools close during drop-off and pick-up times. 

School streets have been hugely popular with parents and teachers as they are a lot safer for pupils and have been a good way of getting more pupils walking, cycling and scooting. 

Esther, who is in year 6 at John Keble school said: "I think that it is way safer and I have been seeing more children bringing their bikes and scooters now that there is more space for them to use whatever they are using to get back home or going to school, which is really good."

Her class mate Christine, who is also in year 6 at John Keble school said: "I think it is best that cars are not on the road when kids are out because of the pollution. It can damage lungs and effect breathing, especially because of my asthma.”

Councillor Krupa Sheth, cabinet member for environment said: “I think it is brilliant that we are continuing to support school streets by using CCTV outside of schools.

This is just one small way of making streets safer for children and improving air quality, we spoke to Catherine a parent of a year 1 pupil at John Keble who agreed: "There is the physical safety knowing that your child won't get run over by a car on their way to school, but also that these are some of the most polluted streets in the area. The streets around here have some of the highest levels of air pollution in the country, so knowing that is being reduced by having the school street in place here is also really good.”

Following the CCTV going up we will be issuing warning notices to unauthorised vehicles entering the restricted zone for the first two weeks, following this Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) will be issued 14 November.

Residents that haven’t already done so should make arrangements for their vehicle to be registered for a residents permit. Permit applications for residents or exempt visitors can be arranged by emailing schoolstreets@brent.gov.uk or calling 020 8937 5287.

For a full list of school streets and information on exemptions go to the council’s webpage.