School street closures and other similar schemes are associated with a 6% increase in active commutes to schools, according to a new study in nearly 500 UK schools published today in the International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity.

Work led by researchers from the MRC Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge and in partnership with those from Universities of Cambridge, Exeter, and Birmingham, and Edinburgh Napier University, and the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (formerly Sustrans), used routinely collected data to address the effectiveness of schemes.

The spread of school streets

Schemes which restrict access to motor traffic outside schools at drop-off and pick-up times, have recently proliferated across the UK. They aim to create a safe space for families to get to school and to relieve pressure around drop-off and pick-up times. Prior work by the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust suggests that some schools experience higher levels of active travel after implementing schemes, particularly if large numbers of children live close to the school, but their effects have not yet been subject to a robust, nationwide evaluation.

The study used data from routine “Hands-Up” Surveys carried out at 498 schools across England and Scotland, in which children were asked to raise their hands to indicate how they travelled to school.

The researchers identified 166 eligible state primary schools operating schemes. Each of these schools was matched to two similar control schools across the same period of time, based on school size, local deprivation, urban/rural status, nation, and baseline levels of active commuting. The changes in the levels of active commuting from before and after a scheme was implemented was then compared between schools with schemes and those without.

A stride in the right direction

The researchers observed a 6% increase in active travel to school in schools with schemes compared to those without. All active means of commuting – walking, cycling, scooting and skating – increased, though the greatest increase was seen for “park and stride,” in which people drive for some of the journey and walk for the rest. In some cases formal park and stride schemes exist, in others the set-up is informal, using a nearby supermarket or village hall. The size of the closure varied across schools, but in many cases the distance children walked was more than 150m.

Importantly, whilst all active commute methods showed increases, this was not at the expense of public transport use. Most of the shift was driven by a decrease in use of motor vehicles, with the proportion of children travelling to school only by private motor vehicle decreasing by 5%. There was also no difference in effects of schemes based on geographic location, local deprivation levels, or on whether or not  cameras were used to enforce the restrictions.

The researchers also found notable variations in effectiveness across schools, with positive effects in some and negative effects in others. In some schools, this increase in active travel was around 40%. The reasons for success could be related to the implementation of the scheme, the strength of school leadership, other synergistic interventions, and the local political context.

Informing decision making by local authorities

Professor Jenna Panter of the MRC Epidemiology Unit, who was senior author on this paper said:

This is the first large-scale national study to find that these closures are broadly successful and our findings support the creation of schemes in areas where this is feasible.

Schemes like this often divide communities. While restricting motor vehicle use can generate objections or even conflict if some road users consider their freedoms to have been infringed, people tend to value local children’s health and safety. Given the importance of air quality and small amount of active travel for health, this study may help local authorities make the case for policies aimed at reducing car use around schools.”

Walk Wheel Cycle Trust is the UK’s walking, wheeling and cycling charity and the custodian of the National Cycle Network. It works with schools and local authorities to implement school streets and help more children travel actively to school.

Andy Cope, Director of Evidence and Insight at Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, said:

Our work with children has shown that they want to travel actively to school – on foot, scooter, mobility aid or by bike. But busy roads are a huge barrier for many families to choose this transport option.

This national study clearly demonstrates that these schemes are effective at increasing active, healthier ways of getting to school. More walking, wheeling and cycling to schools reduces congestion, creates a safer neighbourhood, and is better for our environment too.”

The study was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) School for Public Health Research (SPHR) Grant Reference Number NIHR 204000. Professor Jenna Panter, Professor David Ogilvie, Dr Esther van Sluijs and Dr Richard Patterson were supported by the Medical Research Council (MRC). The views presented in the paper and in this press release are those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SPHR or MRC.

Reference

• Patterson, R, Carey, EG, et al. Effectiveness and equity impacts of traffic restriction schemes outside schools: a controlled natural experimental study. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity; 15 December 2025; DOI:10.1186/s12966-025-01858-w