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School streets logo showing children walking, cycling, scooting and wheeling to schoolCatrine and St Sophia's primaries

Trial School Streets (funded through the Sustrans Spaces for People programme) are currently in place on roads around Catrine Primary and St Sophia’s Primary, Galston.

The feedback is summarised in the news article School Streets trials deemed a success.

As a result, on 25 August 2021 Cabinet approved officer recommendations that the trial at:

  • Catrine Primary be made permanent
  • St Sophia's Primary be continued until the school closes for refurbishment (summer 2023)

View the Cabinet report on School Streets (PDF 1.39Mb)

Netherthird primary

Cabinet also approved the roll-out of school streets trials to other interested communities if it's feasible to do so. The next trial scheme will be at Netherthird Primary School and will launch on 20 February 2023. 

Interested in a school streets trial? 

If your school or community is interested in being considered for a school streets trial, please get in touch by emailing enquiries@ayrshireroadsalliance.org.

Road closure plans for school streets

Download the plans to see the extent of the areas included in the trials:

Lainshaw primary

Of course, not all schools are located on roads which could be considered suitable for part-time road closures and so at Lainshaw Primary we have taken a different approach.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is a School Street?

A School Street is a part time restriction on driving motor vehicles on roads around a school.

We propose that access would be restricted at school start and finish times Monday to Friday at the following times:

  • Catrine Primary School - 8.45am–9.30am and 2.30pm–3.20pm 
  • St Sophia's Primary School - 8.30am-9.15am and 2.30pm-3.15pm
  • Netherthird Primary School - 8.40am-9.05am and 2.45pm-3.15pm

Catrine and St Sophia's restrictions apply on weekdays in term time. Netherthird restrictions apply on all weekdays.

The restriction allows access during the periods of operation for the following only:

  • Permit holders
  • Blue badge holders
  • School transport vehicles (buses and contracted taxis)
  • Exempt vehicles (see exemptions in FAQ below)

What is the aim of the scheme?

The scheme aims to substantially reduce vehicular traffic in these streets to a point where pedestrian traffic and cyclists take priority and people, especially children, feel safer on the streets around schools.

What are the benefits of walking, cycling or scooting?

Starting your school day with a walk or a short cycle ride is better than having to digest your cornflakes sitting in the back of a car. There is evidence of a link between more physical activity and an increase in academic achievement.

Early years' aged children can easily walk half a mile, increasing to at least one and a half miles in primary school.

Scooters fit easily in the boot of a car so you can park and scoot if you prefer. Travelling this way to and from school allows you to teach your children valuable road safety skills (Green Cross Code), play games like 'I Spy' and talk about their school day.

When did the School Street trials start?

The trials at Catrine and St Sophia’s Primary Schools started on 19 April 2022. The trial at Netherthird Primary School is expected to start on 27 October 2022.

Are there any exemptions from the restrictions?

Yes. The following are exempt from the restrictions:

  • Blue badge holders
  • Doctors
  • Emergency service vehicles (including NHS carers)
  • Permit holders
  • Postal vehicles
  • Refuse vehicles
  • School transport vehicles (including contracted taxis)
  • Utility vehicles (for example, Scottish Water)

Who are permit holders?

Permit holders are residents living within the affected streets.

Download the plans for more details:

These residents will automatically receive two free permits which they will be required to display in their vehicle windscreen whenever they drive through the restricted areas. Parents or carers dropping children at school will not be eligible for a permit.

How do I apply for a permit?

Residents of the affected streets will automatically receive a permit which they will be required to display in their vehicle windscreen whenever they drive through the restricted areas.

Parents or carers dropping children at school will not be eligible for a permit. 

Will there be visitor permits?

No. Residents of the affected streets will automatically receive a permit. Key workers such as carers will be exempt as will blue badge holders.

Deliveries will need to be arranged outwith the times of the restriction.

Other visitors will need to park away from the affected street and walk to the school.

I have a district nurse/NHS carer that comes to visit me. What will happen to them?

District nurses, NHS carers and similar support workers will be exempt from the restrictions and will not require a permit.

The restrictions are in place to support safer movement for the most vulnerable road users and so if it's possible to schedule visits around the restricted periods, we would ask that you try to do so.

I am a blue badge holder. What about me?

Blue badge holders are exempt from the restriction and will not require a permit. Please display your blue badge in your windscreen when driving in the affected streets.

My relatives live within the affected streets - how can I visit them by car?

The restrictions are in place to support safer movement for the most vulnerable road users and so if it's possible to schedule visits around the restricted periods, we would ask that you try to do so. 

If you are a regular visitor during the restricted times (ie for caring responsibilities) and need to drive directly to the property for this purpose, the resident may choose to allocate one of their permits to you for the duration of the trial. 

Otherwise, if visiting within the restricted times, visitors will need to park away from the affected street and walk to the property.

I normally drive my children to school. Where can I park instead?

Exemptions are in place for blue badge holders (see exemptions in FAQ above).

If you do not have a blue badge we would ask you consider walking, cycling or scooting from home.

If you are unable to do this you will need to park outside the School Street restricted area and complete the last part of the journey on foot, bike or scooter.

If choosing to park and stride, scoot or bike we would ask that you park considerately, thinking about the access needs of local residents.

Download the plans for more details on the restricted areas:

Can I park in the School Street areas before the start of the restricted period?

You may choose to drive into the School Street area and park before the start of the restricted period. However, if you do so, you are not permitted to leave the restricted area until the restrictions end (unless you are a permit holder, or have a valid blue badge)

What if I don’t have time to walk my children to school?

The playground is supervised from 15 minutes before the first bell.

If you aren’t able to change the times of your other commitments (work, childcare, other school runs), then consider whether dropping your children at school during this supervised period will give you the extra time you need to stay on schedule.

What happens when the weather is bad?

School Streets will remain in place in all weather conditions. Wet weather days tend to be when the streets around schools become busiest with traffic and visibility is reduced from rain on the windscreen and spray on the roads. The fewer vehicles there are around the school on poor weather days, the safer it is for families walking or wheeling.

We appreciate concerns around arriving at school wet. Umbrellas, wellies and waterproofs are all useful to have and you could carry a change of shoes for your child to put on when they arrive at school.

How do people know that the street is restricted?

The restrictions are highlighted by planters on the carriageway at each entrance to the school street area and traffic signs that show the legally enforceable prohibition of motor vehicles at each entrance to and exit from the school streets area.

The location of the planters has been planned to restrict access and slow vehicles down, but will still enable access by bin lorries, delivery vehicles and school buses.

The planters have been provided with a range of seasonal plants. We are keen to hear from residents who would be willing to volunteer to help the school to look after the planters (particularly during school holidays).  

We will also need to display traffic signs that show the legally enforceable prohibition of motor vehicles at each entrance to and exit from the school streets area.

We are also considering using a coloured surface treatment at each entrance, but this will depend on how long the trials are likely to last.

Who will enforce the restrictions?

The police have powers to enforce the new restrictions. Anyone caught driving through the restricted zones whilst the restriction is in force without a valid permit or exemption can be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice.

What happens at weekends and school holidays?

The scheme will only operate from Monday to Friday during school term time and will not be enforced when the school is closed, for example weekends, bank holidays or in-service days.

Will the School Street trial be abandoned early?

No. The scheme has been designed by council officers together with community representatives.

Although School Streets is a relatively new concept, they have been implemented around the UK and there is building evidence about the positive benefits associated with them.

We would remove the restriction at the end of the trial period if this was the overwhelming response from the community, but we hope that this will not be necessary.

Will the School Street trial be made permanent?

This is one possible outcome, but would be dependent on the results of the monitoring and would also be subject to statutory consultation.

Can I ask for a School Street trial to be undertaken at my school?

We are not able to agree to undertake any other trials until we have completed these.

I'm a resident in an affected street and haven't received my letter/permits?

For residents in Catrine and St Sophia’s School Street areas, the permits issued to residents in March 2021 are still valid.

If you have lost these permits over the summer holidays please email enquiries@ayrshireroadsalliance.org putting 'School Streets resident permit' in the subject of your email and confirming your postal address.

For residents in the Netherthird School Street area, you will be issued with permits a couple of weeks before the start of the trial.

Find out more

For more information on the School Streets concept visit the School Streets website.

Walk, cycle or scoot to school

The Sustrans website has useful top tips on walking, cycling or scooting to school:

Contact Information


Ayrshire Roads Alliance
Opera House
8 John Finnie Street
Kilmarnock
KA1 1DD
Telephone: 01563 503160