London School Safety Bylaws - Speed Limits & Crossing Guards

Public Safety England 4 Minutes Read · published February 02, 2026 Flag of England

In London, England, local authorities, Transport for London (TfL) and the police work together to regulate school safety zones, set local speed limits and manage school crossing patrols. This guide explains how speed limits are established near schools, who enforces them, typical penalties for speeding, and how crossing guard duties are organised by boroughs. It is aimed at school leaders, parents, road safety officers and local residents who need clear steps to apply for measures, report hazards and understand enforcement and appeals.

School Safety Zones and Local Speed Limits

Local speed limits near schools are typically set by the local highway authority using statutory Traffic Regulation Orders and national guidance on local speed limits. Boroughs may introduce 20 mph limits, School Streets or other measures to improve safety. See national guidance for how local limits are set [1] and TfL guidance on School Streets and related schemes [2].

Local authorities set and consult on speed limits near schools under statutory procedures.

Who Runs Crossing Patrols and What They Do

School crossing patrols (often called lollipop patrols) are organised by local authorities or their road safety teams; duties, uniforms and location assessments are managed locally. Patrol staff help children cross roads at designated points and follow local operating procedures. For School Streets and temporary street closures, boroughs co-ordinate with TfL where applicable [2].

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of speed limits and road safety orders in London is carried out by the police, authorised enforcement officers and camera systems where deployed. The national penalties for speeding are set out on GOV.UK and apply in London [3]. Specific local penalties for bylaw breaches or Traffic Regulation Order contraventions are set by statute or by order; when amounts or schedules are not published on a local page they are "not specified on the cited page" and enforcement follows the statutory route.

  • Typical national outcomes for speeding: fixed penalty (usually £100 and 3 penalty points), or court fines up to £1,000 (or £2,500 for motorway offences) as shown on the national guidance[3].
  • Enforcers: Metropolitan Police (road policing units), authorised camera operators and local authority enforcement teams; cameras may issue notices, police may prosecute.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: penalty points, driving disqualification, orders to cease activity, seizure of items in serious cases, or court injunctions.
  • Inspection and complaints: report local road safety or crossing concerns to your borough highways or road safety team; see Help and Support / Resources below for contacts.
Speed enforcement in London is carried out by police and authorised civil enforcement where cameras are used.

Escalation, Appeals and Time Limits

Escalation depends on the offence: minor speeding may result in a fixed penalty or speed awareness course; serious or contested cases proceed to court. Exact notice periods and appeal routes for penalty notices are set out on the penalty notice itself or national guidance; where a local page does not list times or appeals it is "not specified on the cited page". Appeals against penalty charge notices or prosecutions are made through the procedure on the notice or via the courts.

Defences and Discretion

Common defences include proving a reasonable excuse, mistaken identity of the vehicle, or challenging measurement/calibration of speed equipment. Local authorities and police exercise discretion in charging and in offering education courses instead of prosecution when appropriate.

Common Violations

  • Speeding in a 20 mph school zone — may lead to fixed penalties or prosecution.
  • Failure to comply with temporary School Street restrictions — treated as a traffic contravention by the issuing authority.
  • Obstructing a designated crossing patrol point — may result in orders or penalties under local regulations.

Applications & Forms

Requests for new speed limits, School Streets or crossing patrols are made to the local borough highways or road safety team; many boroughs publish application guidance and local assessment criteria. Where a central, standardised form is required but not published on the cited guidance pages, the page is "not specified on the cited page" and applicants should contact their borough for the correct form and submission process [2].

Apply to your borough highways or road safety team for crossing patrols or School Streets; each borough has its own assessment process.

Action Steps

  • Identify the exact location and collect evidence: photos, crossing counts, and times of peak school activity.
  • Contact your borough highways or road safety team to request an assessment and the correct application form.
  • Report urgent hazards to the Metropolitan Police or your borough’s emergency number if children are at immediate risk.
  • If issued a notice, follow the payment, course or appeal instructions on the notice within the stated time limits.

FAQ

Who sets speed limits near schools in London?
Local highway authorities (borough councils) set speed limits by Traffic Regulation Order following national guidance and consultation; TfL works with boroughs on London’s roads where applicable.
What are the usual penalties for speeding near a school?
National guidance states the usual fixed penalty for speeding is £100 and three penalty points, and court fines can reach up to £1,000 (or £2,500 on motorways); local notices will show exact amounts and appeal routes[3].
How do I request a school crossing patrol?
Apply to your local borough highways or road safety team; procedures and forms vary by borough and are handled locally[2].

How-To

  1. Document the issue: gather times when children arrive/leave, pictures and vehicle counts.
  2. Find your borough’s road safety or highways contact and submit an assessment request or application form.
  3. Follow up with the borough for their site visit, risk assessment and decision on measures like a crossing patrol or School Street.
  4. If approved, comply with any conditions, signage requirements and payment or contribution terms if applicable.

Key Takeaways

  • Local boroughs set school-zone limits and manage crossing patrols under national guidance.
  • Enforcement is by police and authorised camera operators; national penalties apply for speeding.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Department for Transport - Setting local speed limits guidance
  2. [2] Transport for London - School Streets and road schemes
  3. [3] GOV.UK - Speeding penalties

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