Hackney Council’s principal sustainable transport planner, Doolin O’Reilly, offers detail behind the data on the borough’s highly successful School Streets initiative that has spurred Hackney Council to promote 30 schemes from pilot to permanent status. 

Key fact 1: 84% of the borough’s primary schools participate in a School Streets programme.

Q-Could every primary school in the borough take part in a School Streets programme?

Hackney has committed to assess all primary schools in the borough for a school street; so hypothetically, ‘yes’ is the answer. However, there are challenges to overcome - for example, the issue of how to deal with schools located on major roads, bus routes, and streets operated by an organisation other than the council.

Key fact 2: 15% of Hackney’s secondary schools are covered by the programme.

Q-Why is the secondary school figure lower than primary?

We started our School Streets pilot programme with primary schools. Primary-school-aged children are particularly vulnerable to the dangerous of poor air quality and road traffic violence. Typically, primary schools also have relatively small catchment areas, which assists in modal shifts towards active travel behaviours.

That being said, we don’t think that school streets can’t or shouldn’t be implemented at secondary schools. Hackney already has two school street zones which incorporate a secondary school and, as we look to the future, we will be considering how we further involve secondary schools in our school streets programme.

Key fact 3: Polling of residents in Hackney suggests that more than seven in 10 residents wanted to see at least some of Hackney’s School Streets made permanent.

Q-How do you account for such high levels of approval for the School Streets trials in polls?

Firstly, we place a high emphasis on communicating about School Streets. We ensure that residents know what the schemes entail, and when and where they are being trialled. We lay out the reasons behind operating a School Streets programme and what we’ve been able to accomplish so far.

Secondly, we’ve been focusing on letting the community have its say about each School Street scheme in tandem with that scheme’s experimental period. When residents have the opportunity to comment on a scheme whilst it is operational, they are less likely to be swayed by common myths or unfounded expectations.

Key fact 4: The Council’s School Streets pilot reveals a 51% increase in cycling to school, a 30% increase in walking and a 74% reduction in tailpipe emissions.

Q-Is there any research into the percentage of children that are accompanied by parents/other adults?

We know School Streets work, but data-driven information like this really does help showcase how much School Street schemes can accomplish. In Hackney, pupils’ mode of travel data is collected from every school in the borough every year to allow for year-on-year and before-and-after analysis. This survey currently doesn’t collect information about whether the active travel journeys are conducted independently or with a parent or carer, but it may be something we incorporate in the future.

Key fact 5: Over 15,000 pupils in Hackney are walking and/or cycling to school.

Q-Are the schools undertaking any complimentary research programmes that would assess the long-term health benefits emerging?

Yes, we are currently looking into researching the long-term impacts of school streets - so watch this space.

Q-What measures or investment is needed to support School Streets programmes?

While results are impressive, and Hackney recognises the transformative benefits that School Streets can have for children, parents/carers, teachers, and the wider community, School Streets shouldn’t be regarded as a silver bullet. In order to reach full potential, School Street Programmes need to be supported by year-round supplementary initiatives, such as cycle training, and high-quality physical infrastructure.

Q & A conducted by Pamela Cahill.

To access further interviews, case studies and best practice regarding School Streets visit CIHT Spotlight Walk to School

If you would like to know more about operating a School Streets programme in your area or authority, Hackney Council provides a free School Streets toolkit for professionals.

Photo Credit: Gary Manhine