A School Street is a road, or series of roads, outside a school that is temporarily closed to motorised traffic during school drop-off and pick-up times. This limits the amount of traffic on the roads outside the school at key times and creates a predominantly car free zone.
Why have we introduced a School Street Scheme?
For many years, concerns have been raised with the Council over the amount of school-related traffic using Marina Crescent and adjacent roads during drop-off and pick-up times. This increases the risks of collisions between motorised traffic and vulnerable road users, as well as with other vehicles.
The associated parking on the roads makes it difficult for other vehicles to pass, and causes visibility issues for children wanting to cross, whilst the pavement parking makes it dangerous and at times forces children to walk in the road.
Aim of the School Streets Scheme
The aim of the scheme is to promote active travel and reduce car dependency on the school run whilst making it safer to do so. To coincide with the restrictions, work is ongoing in both schools to promote walking and cycling as a mode of transport. We recognise that some parents need to travel by car as they are going to work after dropping their child off. However, parents will be encouraged to park further away and take the opportunity to enjoy a walk with their child whilst getting some fresh air and exercise. As well as the physical benefits that come from daily exercise, the mental and emotional health benefits can be huge. A reduction in vehicle emissions also contributes to cleaner air and a more pleasant environment for all.
Scheme details
Following our consultation earlier in the year and the subsequent trial week in March, the proposals were amended.
The proposal to create a new footpath across the green space to the rear of St Anne’s Catholic Primary and the proposed one-way system on Marina Crescent were removed. Instead, the existing path between Twickenham Drive and Acacia Avenue has been widened and upgraded as this was already being used by some members of the community. This work was undertaken during the October half-term holiday.
The scheme went live under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order from 2nd September 2025. The extents of the order are summarised below.
- A ban on motor vehicles on Marina Crescent, Ruskin Way, and Cedar Crescent, Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 9:00 and from 14:30 to 15:30 (term-time only). There are exemptions made as part of the ban on motor vehicles for residents of the affected roads, emergency service vehicles, school staff, blue badge holders and taxis; however, it should be noted that these exemptions could be subject to change.
- A one-way system on Cedar Crescent is now in force, which allow vehicles to only access Cedar Crescent from Ruskin Way.
- Enforcement cameras were installed at each end of Marina Crescent in December 2025. These will go live in January. Prior to the cameras going live Police will be carrying out enforcement. Drivers ignoring the restrictions by entering one of the roads covered by the order during the advertised times will be issued with a fine. All those who are exempt will need to log their vehicle registration details with us as soon as possible via https://knowsleypermits.apcoa.com/ (Civil Parking Enforcement Officers will continue to enforce parking restrictions).
Legal Information
The scheme has been introduced on a trial basis via an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO). During the first six months of the Experimental Traffic Order, comments and feedback on the scheme are welcome. This will give the Council the opportunity to consider your views and, in doing so, help to inform a decision on whether to amend the scheme, make the scheme permanent, withdraw the scheme, or revert to the previous situation.
The extent of the proposal can be viewed in the plan below.
Your questions and comments are welcome and can be forwarded to us at schoolstreets@knowsley.gov.uk
This Experimental Traffic Regulation Order shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months, and the Council will be considering in due course whether the provisions of the Order should be continued in force indefinitely.
Within a period of 6 months beginning with the day on which the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order came into force, or if the Order is varied by another order or modified pursuant to section 10(2) of the 1984 Act beginning with the day on which the variation or modification or the latest variation or modification came into force, any person may object to the making of an order for the purpose of such indefinite continuation.
Any such objection must be in writing, state the grounds on which it is made and be sent to
Mrs K Roberts/Mrs R Cooper
Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council
Legal Services
2nd Floor
Municipal Building
Archway Road
Huyton
Merseyside
L36 9YU
Quoting reference “Legal/KR/RC/TRO objection/SchoolStreet” within the 6-month period.
School Streets scheme Experimental Amendment Order
Details of the Experimental Amendment order for the School Streets project can be viewed below.
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Further information
For more information on School Streets please visit School Streets Initiative - All the information you need
To watch a video about real life examples please visit Active Travel: The Art of the Possible
School Streets - FAQs
Frequently asked questions
What is a School Street?
Why have you introduced a School Street?
A School Street reduces the build-up of traffic outside school and creates a safer and more pleasant environment for children walking or wheeling to school and encourages parents to choose a more active way to travel to school with their children for all or part of their journey.
Can I still drive on a School Street?
No. Motorised vehicles will not be allowed to enter the School Street when it is in operation (during school drop-off and pick-up times) unless exempt. A School Street is not a parking scheme. The offence is to enter the road during the restricted times regardless of whether the driver stops to park or not.
Please note that even driving into the mouth of the junction of Marina Crescent, at either end, to turn around and then proceed along Acacia Avenue or Tarbock Road, is still classed as entering the restricted road and will trigger a penalty charge notice (see below).
Will the restrictions apply to everyone, or will there be any exemptions?
Yes, exemptions include:
- Drivers of vehicles registered to the following properties - Numbers 1-40 Marina Crescent, 1-45 Ruskin Way, 1-12 Cedar Crescent and number 66 Tarbock Road.
- School staff at St Anne’s Catholic Primary School.
- Blue badge holders residing in or visiting properties within the restricted roads or accessing the school.
- School buses and school transport serving the school.
- Public transport.
- Taxis serving properties within the restricted roads.
- Emergency services, doctors on call, district nurses, carers and support workers working at properties on the restricted roads (prior contact required to arrange exemption for care/support workers).
- Statutory public services / utilities (gas, electricity, water, telecoms companies) working at the properties on the restricted roads.
- Tradespeople serving properties within the restricted roads (prior contact required to arrange exemption).
- Delivery and postal services.
I am a resident - how do I apply for an exemption?
If you are eligible for an exemption, please contact APCOA via email pcn.knowsley@apcoa.com or by calling 0345 319 0430.
Alternatively you can apply by clicking this link:
I am a resident - can I have a visitor permit?
No. At present exemptions will not be granted for visitors unless it is essential that a visitor arrives or leaves during the restricted hours (e.g. for official caring duties). Residents should email schoolstreets@knowsley.gov.uk to request a temporary exemption where appropriate.
I am a Carer needing to arrive within the restricted times, how do I apply for an exemption?
Please email school streets schoolstreets@knowsley.gov.uk and provide your name, the address you’re visiting, your vehicle registration number and details of your employer (care agency).
I am a blue badge holder - how do I apply for an exemption?
Please apply via the following link https://knowsleypermits.apcoa.com and provide a copy of your blue badge and V5 document.
When will the School Street be in operation?
The operating times are between 8:00 and 9:00 and between 14:30 and 15:30. The operating times are indicated on the road signs.
These times are to coincide with the start and end of the school days at both Blacklow Brow Primary and St Anne’s Catholic Primary Schools.
What about the weekends and during the school holidays?
The scheme will only operate on weekdays, Monday to Friday during school drop-off and pick-up times. The restrictions will operate term-time only but please note that these dates may vary year on year.
Why has a one-way system been introduced on Cedar Crescent?
The introduction of a one-way system on Cedar Crescent is to further discourage motorists from entering the school street area. In addition, it will make the school street restriction easier to enforce, as there will only be one entry point into the area.
Entering a one-way system offence in the UK is illegal and can result in a £100 fine and three penalty points on your licence. The offense is triggered by contravening a "No Entry" sign.
Does the new one-way system on Cedar Crescent only operate during restricted hours?
No. The one-way system will be 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Are there any other School Streets?
The current scheme is the first in Knowsley but there are hundreds across the country and many successful ones already in Merseyside. Liverpool City Council already has schemes in operation and has committed to support the introduction of 50 more schemes in the coming years. A study by Edinburgh Napier University reported that where a School Street is in place there is an increase in children and adults travelling to school in a more active way. (School street closures could improve amount of walking, cycling and wheeling to school, study shows).
What if I can’t wheel, walk, cycle or scoot to school?
We understand that it is not always possible for everyone to walk, wheel or scoot to and from school. Certain people and vehicles will be exempt from the restrictions and the Council will work with the schools involved and the local community to make sure that alternative solutions are considered.
Where can I park to drop my child/children off?
The ambition is that the restrictions will encourage those who live within walking or wheeling distance to travel in this way and not continue to drive. If people are unable to walk or wheel the entire journey due to distance or work commitments, we would encourage people to park 10 minutes away and walk or wheel from there.
The path linking Twickenham Drive to Acacia Avenue has been upgraded to ensure that active travel options are easier and quicker for those travelling from the Twickenham estate than it is if they currently drive from there to Marina Crescent. Even if parents / carers then have to go home to collect their car to travel to work it will still be quicker and more pleasant than it currently is trying to park in the area within the immediate vicinity of Marina Crescent and negotiate all the congestion there.
Family or friends sometimes drop off at school, or collect my child(ren) from school, what do I need to do?
Please share the details of the scheme with anyone who may drop off, or collect, a child/children from school on your behalf. It is essential that they are aware of the School Street area to avoid receiving a fine. It will also help to avoid any unnecessary stress or confusion for them.
We want to encourage as many people as possible to walk, wheel or scoot to school to and will have a dedicated officer working in both schools to promote this. Where it is not possible to travel the entire journey in an active way please park safely and legally away from both schools and walk or wheel the remaining part of the journey.
How is the Experimental scheme being trialled?
The scheme came into force on 2nd September 2025 under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) for a maximum period of 18-months. During the first six months Knowsley Council invite comments, questions, support for the scheme or objections (setting out your reasoning) to help to inform the decision on whether the scheme should be made permanent.
During the 18-month trial the Council will closely monitor the scheme making changes where necessary. Since the scheme went live in September additional double yellow lines have been introduced on Acacia Avenue, Charlwood Avenue, Chestnut Avenue, Cypress Road and Tarbock Road. These have been introduced as cars were observed to be parked at these junctions. Staff from Knowsley’s Highways Team continue to monitor the situation. At the end of 18-months a decision will be made on whether to make the School Street scheme permanent.
How will the scheme be enforced?
Traffic signs and advanced warning signs are already in place with initial enforcement carried out by Police. Please note that Civil Parking Enforcement Officers will continue to enforce parking restrictions.
How will the cameras work?
Cameras were put in place in December 2025. When they go live in January, they will check every vehicle that drives into the school street. If a vehicle is not exempt the driver can get a £70 fine.
First 6 months:
- If a person drives into the school street without permission, they will only get a warning the first time that they do this.
- If they think that they should have an exemption, they will have 14 days to apply for one after receiving the warning.
- They won’t get a fine during those 14 days.
After the first warning:
- Any further trips into the school street without an exemption will lead to a £70 fine.
After the first 6 months:
- Warning letters stop.
- If a person enters the school street without an exemption, they will get an immediate £70 fine, even if it is their first time.
Will this scheme cause parking to be displaced onto nearby roads?
Parking is being monitored to assess any impact of the scheme. It is anticipated that the scheme will encourage more people to walk, wheel or cycle which will reduce the amount of traffic near to the school but any change in behaviour and travel patterns takes time. In addition, those that continue to drive to school are likely to park across a number of roads rather than in one place, therefore any increase in parking should be manageable.
How are the schemes funded?
Any costs associated with the scheme will be drawn down from Knowsley’s allocation of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s City Regions Sustainable Transport Settlement’ (CRSTS), which is awarded by the Department for Transport.
For more information on School Streets please visit School Streets Initiative - All the information you need.
To watch a video about real life examples please visit Active Travel: The Art of the Possible - School Streets
If you have any queries that are not answered above please email us at schoolstreets@knowsley.gov.uk