Croydon schools among London's most dangerous for road collisions
Analysis shows 483 collisions outside 62 schools between 2021 and 2025, with a significant number of vehicle exemptions on Warrington Road.
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Croydon has been identified as the second most dangerous borough in London for traffic collisions occurring outside schools. An analysis of Department for Transport data revealed 483 collisions near 62 schools between 2021 and 2025. This equates to an average of 7.79 collisions per school over the five-year period, a rate significantly higher than the national average of 1.95.
Concerns over School Street Exemptions
Croydon Council to decide on specialist‑provider model for CALAT on 14 October
If approved, adult‑learning courses will be run by external specialists and a public consultation will follow, affecting learners across the borough.
Further concerns have been raised regarding the Healthy School Street scheme on Warrington Road in Waddon. A Freedom of Information request to Croydon Council showed that 2,470 vehicles were granted exemptions from the restrictions. This high number of exempted vehicles on a road with schools and residential properties has led to questions about the effectiveness of the scheme in protecting children during peak school times.
Road Safety Trends in Croydon
The collision figures in Croydon were recorded before Mayor Jason Perry removed the borough's last remaining lollipop patrols outside six primary schools in 2025. In contrast, Transport for London's Road Danger Reduction Dashboard indicates a London-wide decrease in road casualties. Between 2017 and 2025, total casualties across the capital fell by 27%, from over 32,500 to fewer than 24,000. However, Croydon's figures show a much smaller reduction, with casualties decreasing by only 8% from 1,157 in 2017 to 1,067 in 2025.
Croydon trams suspended for two weeks during track works
Essential renewal works at Kent Gateway West will also cause road closures and potential noise disruption for residents.
A report from Scrap Car Comparison, which conducted the analysis, also highlighted issues with traffic journey times. Croydon ranked third worst for increased travel times outside schools, with journeys more than doubling near Harris Invictus Academy on London Road in West Croydon during school run hours.
Council's Transport Strategy Under Scrutiny
Councillor Alasdair Stewart's "Transport and Parking Strategic Direction" report, presented to the council cabinet, has been criticised for lacking specific targets to reduce casualty rates in line with TfL's Vision Zero strategy. The Vision Zero goal aims to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries from London's transport network by 2041. The Mayor's transport strategy document does not reference this objective.
Questions this report answers
+How many collisions occurred near schools in Croydon between 2021 and 2025?
Croydon recorded 483 collisions outside 62 schools between 2021 and 2025. This averaged 7.79 collisions per school, making it the second most dangerous area in London for school-related traffic incidents.
+What issues have been identified with the Warrington Road Healthy School Street?
A Freedom of Information request revealed that 2,470 vehicles were exempted from the restrictions on Warrington Road. This high number of exemptions raises concerns about the effectiveness of the scheme in ensuring safety for children during school drop-off and pick-up times.
+How do Croydon's road safety figures compare to the rest of London?
While London-wide road casualties fell by 27% between 2017 and 2025, Croydon saw a much smaller decrease of 8% in the same period. This indicates that road safety improvements in Croydon have lagged behind the overall London trend.
+What action has Mayor Jason Perry taken regarding road safety for children?
In 2025, Mayor Jason Perry removed the borough's last remaining lollipop patrols outside six primary schools. This decision has drawn criticism in light of the high number of collisions recorded near schools.
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