GSR Park & Stride Scheme

In October 2020, Green School Runs launched its Park & Stride scheme at the O2 Centre on Finchley Road, offering a practical and environmentally conscious solution for families commuting to local schools.

 

The scheme aimed to reduce congestion, improve air quality around school gates, and promote healthier, more sustainable travel habits by encouraging parents to drive part of the way, park in a designated location, and walk the rest of the journey with their children.

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The programme was open to all families with children attending nearby schools, and it proved particularly helpful for those affected by new traffic restrictions introduced as part of Camden Council’s Healthy School Streets initiative. 

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Registered participants in the scheme were granted free parking at the O2 Centre during key morning and afternoon time slots, allowing them to complete the final part of their journey on foot. This not only helped ease congestion on local roads but also contributed to a calmer and safer environment outside school entrances.

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The success and longevity of the Park & Stride programme were made possible thanks to the generous support and collaboration of the O2 Centre and Landsec, who offered both the parking facilities and the operational flexibility required to keep the initiative running for nearly five years.

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Unfortunately, due to the redevelopment of the site adjacent to the O2 Centre, the Park & Stride scheme came to an end in September 2025. While the closure marked the unwelcome end of a successful initiative, the project demonstrated how public-private partnerships can contribute to reducing the impact of school run traffic.​

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