Cars are set to be banned from a further 200 roads across London as part of a major expansion of “School Streets” aimed at improving safety around schools and encouraging walking and cycling.
Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that the new restrictions will be introduced across the capital by the end of the decade, marking a significant widening of measures that limit vehicle access during school drop-off and pick-up times.
The programme will prevent cars from entering designated roads outside schools at peak times, with the aim of reducing congestion, improving air quality and lowering road danger for children and pedestrians.
The expansion forms part of London’s wider transport strategy under Sir Sadiq Khan, who has long backed measures designed to encourage “active travel” and reduce reliance on private cars in the capital.
Transport for London said more than 800 roads were already designated as School Streets as of April 2025, with the new programme set to raise that number significantly over the coming years.
The Mayor’s transport strategy sets out ambitions to deliver 1,000 new zebra and signal-controlled crossings by 2031, alongside lower speed limits and broader safety measures targeting larger vehicles.
The expansion also feeds into the city’s “Vision Zero” target, which aims to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on London’s roads by 2041.
TfL said School Streets schemes had been shown to improve air quality and reduce road danger by giving greater priority to pedestrians and cyclists, particularly during busy school-run periods.
Borough councils are responsible for implementing the schemes locally, with TfL providing guidance and mapping support to identify suitable locations.
Transport for London said walking already accounted for a significant proportion of school journeys, but safety concerns and poor infrastructure still discouraged many families from travelling on foot.
Christina Calderato, TfL’s director of transport strategy, said the programme would help make streets “more pleasant” and accessible.
“Walking is already at the heart of how Londoners get around, but we know too many people are still put off by safety concerns, poor crossings or inaccessible streets,” she said.
“This new plan sets out how we’ll change that by making it easier and more pleasant to walk for everyday journeys.”
Under the expanded scheme, all new signal-controlled crossings introduced before the end of the decade will include pedestrian countdown timers, designed to improve crossing efficiency and safety.
TfL said the technology would allow pedestrians to benefit from immediate green signals in certain conditions and improved responsiveness at busy junctions.
London’s walking and cycling commissioner Will Norman said the expansion would help make walking the “safest, easiest and most enjoyable” way to travel in the capital.
“The Mayor and I are determined to make walking the safest, easiest and most enjoyable way of getting around London,” he said.
The announcement is likely to reignite debate over road space in the capital, with supporters pointing to safety and environmental benefits, while critics have previously raised concerns about traffic displacement and restrictions on motorists.
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