photo of leader and children
Barnet Council is gearing up for an inspiring celebration of healthier, greener and safer streets, for World Car-Free Day (22 September) and Cycle to School Week (25 to 29 September), signifying an unwavering commitment to climate action and the ambitions of becoming a net zero council by 2030 and a net zero borough by 2042.
This month, Barnet Council is proud to announce that the following five School Street schemes have been made permanent, following a successful experimental traffic order trial:
- Wren Academy, N12
- St Pauls cofe, N11
- St Agnes RC Primary School, NW2
- Garden Suburb Junior School, NW11
- Colindale Primary, NW9
The council’s School Street Scheme is designed to create a safe place where children can walk, scoot and cycle to and from school freely, between school drop-off and pick-up times, without the worries of traffic. A time when most vehicles steer clear of the designated street, whilst residents, business owners, or carers of someone living on the street, can still access the road freely at any time, by applying for permits.
A further three schools will soon be added to the list, as the school street scheme gains further traction. Holly Park primary school, in Friern Barnet, is one of those schools in the pipeline to introduce the scheme.
Councillor Barry Rawlings, Leader of Barnet Council said "In Barnet, we believe in taking meaningful steps towards a more sustainable future. World Car-Free Day and Cycle to School Week are not just events; they are powerful tools to encourage positive change. We are proud that schools like Holly Park, are supporting initiatives such as the School Street scheme and are leading the way to creating cleaner, greener streets for our community in Barnet.
“School Streets bring a wave of benefits. Children thrive in healthier environments, breathe in clean air and enjoy active travel journeys – leading to healthier bodies, and happier minds.”
With approximately half of London's air pollution stemming from road transport, World Car-Free Day provides a great opportunity in our efforts to reduce harmful emissions from vehicles and promote better air quality. Last month, Barnet Council invited residents to join the celebrations by hosting a one-off Play Street event over the weekend of World Car-Free Day. As a result, the council is delighted to announce that three Play Streets will come to life on Saturday, 23 September:
- Elmfield Road (N2): 12 noon - 6 pm
- Lincoln Road (N2): 11 am - 9 pm
- Sandringham Gardens (N12): 12 noon - 4 pm
Play streets are an exciting resident-led initiative that involves short road closures to create a safe space where children can play freely together right on their doorsteps. Earlier this year, Barnet launched a 6-month pilot play street scheme in two locations - Leopold Road, East Finchley, and Lodge Lane, North Finchley - in collaboration with residents and Councillors, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Stay tuned to social media updates on Barnet Council's efforts to pave the way toward a net zero future and join in by pledging to walk to school, work, or just for fun, and tag us at @BarnetCouncil.
Barnet's journey to net zero began in May 2022, with the declaration of a Climate and Biodiversity Emergency. This year, the BarNET ZERO sustainability campaign was launched, forging partnerships with local communities, residents, and businesses to reduce our carbon footprint. For more information on the BarNET ZERO campaign visit: engage.barnet.gov.uk/net-zero