Safer streets for school children – give us your views

There’s an opportunity for residents in Brighton & Hove to have their say on plans to make the streets outside some of the city’s primary schools safer.

We’re asking for their views on our plans to apply for new powers that would help us to better enforce our School Streets schemes, improving safety for children, parents and our school communities.

The council can now apply for Moving Traffic Enforcement powers under Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004.

If granted by the Department for Transport (DfT), these powers will allow us to use CCTV cameras to enforce the existing road restrictions at our School Streets locations.

We’re today (Friday 2 May) launching a 6-week consultation where people can give us their views.

Why we’re applying for these powers

Since 2021, working in partnership with schools, we’ve launched 15 School Streets schemes across Brighton & Hove.

They’re designed to support the safe movement of children and families travelling to and from school by creating an environment that enables and encourages more walking, wheeling, cycling and scooting during drop-off and pick up times. 

Time restrictions enforce the School Streets ‘closure’, preventing vehicle access to the roads around schools. At the moment, only police can enforce them.

Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of the council, school staff and volunteers, we continue to see a lot of drivers ignoring the restrictions, making some schemes unsafe and increasing congestion.

The introduction of Moving Traffic Enforcement would look to:

• Improve safety for pedestrians and road users by discouraging dangerous driving
• Reduce congestion and improve air quality around School Streets schemes
• Support and encourage active and sustainable travel

Safer streets for our children

Councillor Trevor Muten, Cabinet member for Transport, Parking and Public Realm, said: “We want to give our children, parents and carers a safe and enjoyable journey to and from the school gate. The School Streets scheme encourages more people to walk, scoot and cycle.

“Unfortunately, not everyone has been adhering to the road restrictions. These new powers would give us the ability to use CCTV to enforce them and keep people safe during pick up and drop off times. We are keen to take action – and these powers enable us to do that.

“It’s important that we listen to residents and the school communities. I’d encourage as many people as possible to give us their views and I look forward to receiving the feedback.”

How enforcement would work

Following a consultation with residents and if approved by DfT, we would begin to use CCTV cameras to enforce the restrictions already in place. This would likely happen in early 2026.

There would be a 6-month period where drivers would, in the first instance, receive a warning notice if they contravened the restrictions. If the restrictions were contravened a second time, they would be issued a Penalty Charge Notice.

The charge for receiving a PCN will be £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 21days.

Give us your views

We now want to get feedback on the proposal from residents, businesses and road users.

Go to the consultation.

The closing date for responses is Sunday 15 June

If you would like a paper copy of the survey, or require additional assistance, please call 01273 295 890 and leave your address or email parkingprojects@brighton-hove.gov.uk