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Welcome to School Streets North: 2026
School Streets are changing the face of the school run – improving safety, air quality, and children's wellbeing while helping local communities reclaim their streets.
Returning for its third edition, School Streets North is the UK's leading regional event dedicated to School Streets policy, delivery, and best practice.
Hosted by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, this year's event brings together local authorities, campaigners, headteachers, transport planners, and active travel professionals to discuss how to expand and sustain School Street programmes across the North.
From early pilots to full-scale rollouts, delegates will explore what's working, what's next, and how School Streets can become a central part of healthier, more liveable neighbourhoods across the UK.
As School Streets continue to grow in popularity, new national guidance from Active Travel England and the Department for Transport is helping councils deliver more effective, evidence-led schemes.
School Streets North 2026 will highlight:
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The joint Walking, Wheeling and Cycling Pledge signed by England's Metro Mayors
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How to secure Active Travel England funding and deliver measurable outcomes
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Practical examples of community engagement, behaviour change and enforcement
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Real-world lessons from councils across the North who are implementing School Streets at scale
This is the must-attend event for anyone working to make school journeys safer, healthier, and more sustainable.
With one-third of peak-time traffic attributed to the school run, and with childhood obesity levels rising, the need for change has never been more urgent. Recent efforts in the North demonstrate the growing momentum behind School Streets, with local leaders keen to support communities in launching new schemes.
Join us in Liverpool on 13th May to be part of the movement making school travel safer, healthier and more sustainable for generations to come.
Key themes
At School Streets North 2026, expert speakers and practitioners will explore the full range of issues shaping the design and delivery of successful School Street schemes, including:
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Funding and partnerships
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Enforcement and monitoring
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Health, wellbeing, and air quality benefits
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Consultation and community engagement
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Infrastructure design and technology
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Data, evaluation, and impact measurement
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Integration with active travel and Healthy Neighbourhoods
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Behaviour change and travel planning
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Traffic management and safety
Through panel discussions, case studies, and interactive sessions, attendees will gain real-world insight into how School Streets are being delivered across the UK – and what's next for this fast-growing movement.
Who should attend
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Local authority officers and councillors
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Policymakers and campaigners
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School leaders and education professionals
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Active travel, road safety, and enforcement teams
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Urban designers and transport planners
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Consultants and researchers
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Technology and data providers
Why attend
School Streets are one of the simplest, most effective ways to make the journey to school safer and more enjoyable. Yet, despite their proven success, many areas are still struggling to scale up. School Streets North 2026 is your opportunity to:
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Learn directly from leading local authorities and national experts
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Understand funding pathways and the expectations of Active Travel England
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Explore real case studies from the Liverpool City Region and beyond
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Hear youth and community perspectives on behaviour change and inclusion
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Connect with peers who are driving forward the School Streets movement in the North
Recent monitoring by Active Travel England shows that School Streets typically cut car use for school journeys by up to half, with measurable improvements in air quality and child activity levels.
National surveys from Sustrans and YouGov show that more than four out of five people support School Streets, and most children say they'd prefer to walk, wheel or cycle to school if they could.
Attendee rates
Local authority free registration
*The first 50 places for Local Authorities are provided for free courtesy of our sponsors.
Please note this offer is limited to the first 2 delegates from your Local Authority. If you wish to send more, you will need to purchase a local authority ticket, priced at £145 + VAT. We encourage you to secure your place as soon as possible to avoid missing out.
Programme
Programme currently in development
09.00
Registration open
Tea & coffee served in the exhibition area
09.45
Welcome
Steve Rotheram, Mayor, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
10.00
Session 1: Making the pledge a reality
England's Metropolitan Mayors have signed a Joint Pledge on Walking, Wheeling and Cycling, setting out shared ambitions to improve health, safety, and sustainability. But how do we turn the pledge into practical action?
11.15
Morning break
Tea & coffee served in the exhibition area
11.45
Session 2: Choose your track
Delegates to choose from 1 of 2.
A: Moving on up –
Secondary School Schemes
So far, most School Streets have focused on primary schools – but what about older students? This session explores how extending School Streets to secondary schools can encourage independence, improve wellbeing, and change long-term travel behaviour.
B: Enforcement & behaviour change
How do you secure compliance and long-term behaviour change? Is camera enforcement essential, or can volunteer-led and community-driven models work just as well?
This discussion explores funding, community trust, and the balance between enforcement and engagement.
13.00
Lunch break
Refreshments served in the exhibition area
14.00
Session 3: A multi-pronged approach to behaviour change
A fast-paced Pecha Kucha session showcasing innovation, creativity, and collaboration at the grassroots level.
15.15
Afternoon break
Tea & coffee served in the exhibition area
15.45
Session 4: What difference do School Streets really make?
A reflective and inspiring closing discussion exploring the wider social. health and environmental impacts of School Streets.
17.00
Conference Close
Speakers
Steve Rotheram
Mayor
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
Exhibition and supporter packages
Supporter Package
Includes:
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Company logo as 'supporter' on the event website, in all advertisements and communications (print and digital)
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Inclusion in the programme, with a speaker or session chair (to be discussed with Programme Manager)
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3m x 2m open space exhibition area supplied with table, chairs, wi-fi and power supply
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Company profile, including logo and 250 word profile on the event website
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Up to 5 delegate places for staff, colleagues and guest invitations
£3,000 + VAT
Headline Sponsor
Includes:
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Prominent logo placement on all event marketing materials (website, e-shots, event signage, social media)
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Feature as “Headline Sponsor” in all event communications and press releases
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Acknowledgement as Headline Sponsor during event opening and closing remarks
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Keynote presentation and opportunity to participate in a panel discussion
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Premium exhibition space at the event for direct engagement with delegates
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Logo featured on event holding slides and delegate packs
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Opportunity to contribute to a pre-event article or article featured on www.transportXtra.com and promoted on social media
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Company profile in event materials distributed to all delegates
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Acknowledgement on event social media channels with posts leading up to, during, and after the event
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Social media shout-outs and inclusion in event hashtags
POA
Secure your exhibiton stand!
To discuss exhibiting opportunities contact
Jason Conboy on: 020 7091 7895
Exhibition Floorplan
To discuss exhibiting opportunities at School Streets North 2026, contact Jason Conboy on:
020 7091 7895 or email: jason@landor.co.uk
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