School Streets exemptions

We want to encourage everyone to avoid driving in School Streets during the restricted hours.

School Street signs will remain open during school holidays and half term breaks. It is not a statutory requirement to close them. Refer to the individual School Street locations for details of each school term times.

Exemption details

These are separate from Controlled Parking Zone permits, and one does not cover the other.

Who can apply

The following drivers can apply for exemption to these restrictions for their vehicles, using this form:

• Residents and businesses within the School Street (up to 4 household owned vehicles per address excluding visitors/services)
• Blue badge holders visiting a property in the School Street
• Care workers serving a property within the School Street
• Taxis (private hire) serving a property within the School Street

Automatic exemptions

The following vehicles serving properties in the School Street will be automatically exempt:

• Emergency vehicles
• Council waste trucks
• School buses and school transport
• Taxis (Hackney carriages only)
• Royal Mail postal vehicles

Deliveries

• Delivery vehicles are also exempt but must apply for exemption stating the ‘Reason for application’ as being ‘Other’. This is because not all delivery vehicles are liveried and easily identifiable
• If a delivery vehicle has entered without submitting for exemption first, they should email schoolstreets@richmond.gov.uk as soon as possible to avoid a PCN
• If they receive a PCN they should appeal the PCN providing proof of their delivery to an address within the restricted area where the alleged contravention took place.

St Richard Reynolds School Street zone has additional criteria due to the size of the zone.

How and when to apply for an exemption

If you meet one of the above criteria for exemption, you may apply by completing this form, and should apply 48 working hours before entering the restricted area (excluding bank holidays and weekends). For example, if you plan to enter the School Street on a Thursday, please ensure you apply by the Tuesday before, or if you plan to enter on Monday, you should apply by the Thursday before, unless Monday is a bank holiday in which case you should apply by the Wednesday before.

If there is another reason why a vehicle should be exempt, please submit the form for consideration selecting ‘Reason for application’ as ‘Other’. This may include:

• Tradespeople/service providers
• Delivery vehicles
• Essential visitors

Do not submit for another short-term exemption before a previous exemption has expired for that vehicle registration number. The system cannot hold multiple entries in waiting and you may receive a PCN.

School Street signs will remain open during school holidays and half term breaks. It is not a statutory requirement to close them. Refer to the individual School Street locations for details of each school term times.

Applying less than 48 hours before

We understand that some eligible vehicles listed above (delivery vehicles, emergency call out contractors, taxi’s etc) may need to apply less than 48 working hours before entering the restricted area. In this instance, please email schoolstreets@richmond.gov.uk with the information listed below, before 5pm on the day you entered. If a PCN is issued the statutory appeals process should be followed with proof of a works schedule.

Information you will need to provide:

• School Street you entered
• Date you entered
• Vehicle Registration Number (VRM) that entered
• Reason for entering without exemption
• Proof of eligibility (i.e. service/delivery/job schedule)

Notifications received by us later than 5pm on the day of entering the School Street will need to follow the statutory appeals process, if a PCN is issued.

Applying for someone else

If you are applying on behalf of a visitor, taxi or delivery driver, please complete the form as if you were them (select no you do not live within the School Street).

Who cannot apply

The following vehicle drivers cannot apply for exemption (unless eligible under one of the criteria above) and will be liable to a penalty charge notice if they enter the School Street during the operational times:

• Residents and businesses located outside the School Street
• Parents/carers dropping off/collecting children at the school
• Other drivers wishing to cut through the area

Exemption limits

There is a limit to how many cameras a single car can be exempted from. This is due to the system used by the camera operator and is unfortunately not something we control. If you regularly require access for more than one School Street (e.g. health/care workers, school transport, school nurses) please email schoolstreets@richmond.gov.uk to arrange the best solution for you.

Replacing an existing vehicle registration already on the exemption list with a new registration

If you have changed your vehicle registration, make an application as you would for a new vehicle to be added to the exemption list. When you add the new vehicle registration, you will be asked if this application is to replace a vehicle you have previously registered for exemption. Enter the registration to be removed in the relevant text box and continue to complete the form, submitting at the end.

Removing a vehicle registration from the exemption list

If you have moved house or sold your car and no longer need access to a School Street, email schoolstreets@richmond.gov.uk with the following information:

• School Street for which you no longer need exemption
• Vehicle Registration Number (VRM)

Which schools are enforced by ANPR

This form applies only to those School Streets enforced by camera. Currently, those are:

• GEMS Twickenham Primary Academy SS3 – Colne Rd (part), Twickenham
• Orleans Primary SS16 – Hartington Rd, Twickenham
• St John the Baptist CE Junior SS11 – Lower Teddington Rd (part), Hampton Wick
• St Richard Reynolds Catholic College SS4 - Lion Rd, Staten Gdns, Station Rd (part), Clifden Rd, Copthall Gdns (part), Tudor Gdns, Twickenham
• St Stephens CE Primary SS2 - Winchester Rd (part), Twickenham
• Stanley Primary SS5 - Strathmore Road, Teddington
• Hampton Infant and Nursery School SS6 - Ripley Road, Hampton
• Holy Trinity CE Primary SS7 - Carrington Road, Richmond
• Jack and Jill School SS10 - First Cross Road, Twickenham

Further information on penalty charge notices can be found on the parking enforcement pages.

Use of your information

Under the General Data Protection Regulation 2018 (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames is the controller of your personal information.

Please visit our frequently asked questions and School Street privacy notice pages for more information.

Help with your application

If you are unable to complete the form please email schoolstreets@richmond.gov.uk for assistance.

Apply for an exemption