Safer, healthier school journeys as Salford launches its first camera‑enforced ‘School Street’

Salford's first camera‑enforced ‘School Street’ will launch on 23 February at Peel Hall Primary School in Little Hulton, helping to reduce motorised traffic and inconsiderate parking during drop-off and pick-up times. The scheme will create a safer, healthier environment by enabling children and accompanying adults to walk, wheel, scoot or cycle to school.

The School Streets initiative is focused on creating a safer, healthier and more pleasant environment for children and the wider community by restricting motorised vehicle access during school start and finish times. The School Street zone will be monitored using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, with operating hours during term time from 8:15–9:00am and 2:30–3:45pm to coincide with the start and end of the school day. Certain permits and exemptions are available, and full details are provided on the dedicated School Streets website.

According to TfGM, around a third of peak‑time traffic is generated by children being driven to and from school. To help address this, Salford City Council is enabling walking, cycling and scooting to reduce reliance on cars and cut instances of illegal parking and unsafe driving.

School Streets are currently being implemented on a trial basis and as part of the project, Salford City Council has been engaging with residents, local businesses and the school for any School Street scheme and school parents have been contacted in advance of any trials being implemented.

In 2024, Active Travel Commissioner Dame Sarah Storey and Mayor Andy Burnham wrote to schools across the city-region inviting them to develop their own ‘School Street’ to limit traffic during drop off and pick up time. £1.3 million of active travel funding has been allocated for the delivery of new and enhanced School Streets in Greater Manchester with the objectives of:

• Traffic reduction: Lowering the number of motorised vehicles on the road to ease congestion.
• Enhanced safety: Addressing the fact that drivers of motorised vehicles are the leading contributor to people walking, wheeling or cycling being injured on local roads.
• Active lifestyles: Enabling children to move more, as only 55% of Salford's young people currently meet recommended activity levels. 

Councillor Mike McCusker, Lead Member for Planning, Transport and Sustainable Development at Salford City Council said: 

“Ensuring our roads are safe for young people is a key priority. So, this is a fantastic step toward making the journey to and from school safer for children across Salford.

“The council’s long term goal is to increase the number of School Streets across Salford, in collaboration with TfGM and local authorities across Greater Manchester, by delivering new schemes and improving those already in place that benefit school pupils and communities across our city for the future.”

Residents within the zone, as well as special groups (Blue Badge holders and emergency vehicles) will be granted an exemption. During the first six months, drivers without an exemption who enter the zone will receive a warning letter rather than a fine. Following any initial warning or once the six-month trial period ends, a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) will be issued.

Further School Streets trials in 2026 are also planned for Grosvenor Road Primary School in Swinton.