Welcome to the Leicestershire School Streets programme
Applications for the 2026 round of School Streets will open on 5th January 2026 and close on the 13th February 2026.
What is the Leicestershire School Streets programme?
A School Street is the closure of a road to motor traffic outside a school during drop off and pick up times.
Watch our video below to see one of our School Streets in action.
How do School Streets work?
Marshals stand with cones or barriers on either end of the road closure to restrict motor access. Some motor vehicles will be allowed through (i.e. those who live or work on said street) but will have to adhere to safety protocols such as lower speeds. Parents and children then can decide to walk, scoot or cycle to school, either from home or from a designated Park & Stride location.
Why are they needed?
Parking, congestion, and safety around schools continues to be a key concern for schools, residents and communities, who benefit from having a range of travel choices when on the school run.
The School Streets initiative looks to provide a solution to these issues through a time-limited congestion-free zone during school drop off and pick up times. This initiative prioritises pedestrians such as parents and children by providing a safe space for people to walk and cycle in the vicinity of the school through a hard or soft closure of the road or street.
Find out more about previous School Streets
How can Choose How You Move help?
School Streets largely runs via the good work of the school, but it does require sufficient input from Leicestershire County Council as the Highway Authority and other Partners to make arrangements for the Traffic Regulation Order, consultations and information provision.
How to join the Leicestershire School Streets programme
To ensure we maximise our resources and that of our Partners, your request to run a scheme at your school will be measured against our criteria which will include a safety check; this will determine if it is feasible to operate School Streets in your location.
Please note, if you request School Streets at your location, you agree and accept that the school will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the scheme, including the daily marshalling of the road closure during term time Monday to Friday between 8.15am – 8.50am and 2.30pm – 3.30pm. Each closure point will require a minimum of 2 marshals. A senior member of staff within in the school must act as co-ordinator for the scheme. The co-ordinator must work with Leicestershire County Council and Partners to ensure that the School Streets operates to the standards set out in a memorandum of understanding and will require the relevant public liability insurance. If your school is selected for School Streets, Leicestershire County Council will provide training guides and equipment such as PPE, barriers and signs.
If you are interested and are able to fulfil the above requirements or for more information, please apply using our expression of interest form, or email choosehowyoumove@leics.gov.uk.
