CalmComplianceRisk Assessment template
School Pedestrian and Vehicle Circulation Risk Assessment
- Version
- v1
- Updated
- 1 October 2026
- Audience
- School leaders, estates and facilities teams, site managers, responsible persons and others assessing or managing vehicle and pedestrian circulation in primary and secondary schools. Applicability remains conditional on the school having vehicle access, parking, playgrounds or routes used by staff, pupils or visitors.
- Jurisdiction
- england
Activity assessed
Vehicle and pedestrian circulation around school access points, internal routes, parking areas, playgrounds, entrances and other areas used by staff, pupils, visitors, contractors and vehicles. Consider normal operation, arrival and departure periods, deliveries, service access, events, maintenance and changes to the site layout where applicable.
Assess each hazard and its controls against your site before use. Template ratings require local review.
Hazards and controls
Collision or near miss arising from vehicles and pedestrians using the same access, crossing, circulation or manoeuvring area.
- Existing controls
- Record the controls currently in place at the school, including any physical separation, barriers, gates, crossings, signs, markings, supervision, traffic arrangements and communication arrangements. Do not assume that a control is present unless it has been verified.
- Proposed controls
- Where vehicle and pedestrian movements occur, provide or maintain separate, clearly marked access routes and identify any points where routes cross or may conflict. Define and record suitable arrangements for deliveries, servicing, drop-off, pick-up and other vehicle movements. Record remedial measures, responsible persons and target dates separately in the school's action-tracking process.
Local assessment and additional controls
Pedestrians or drivers misunderstand or fail to follow routes because access routes, crossings, restricted areas or vehicle areas are not clearly marked or maintained.
- Existing controls
- Record the signs, lines, markings, barriers, gates, lighting, route information and inspection or maintenance arrangements currently in place. Note any controls that are temporary, damaged, obscured or subject to local conditions.
- Proposed controls
- Where routes are required, provide or maintain clear, durable and visible route markings, signs and physical delineation appropriate to the layout and users. Establish arrangements for checking and repairing route markings and signs, and record any interim measures needed while remedial work is outstanding.
Local assessment and additional controls
A vehicle enters, crosses or comes close to a playground or other pedestrian area, creating a risk of collision, intrusion or loss of safe play space.
- Existing controls
- Record the current relationship between parking, playgrounds, pedestrian routes and vehicle routes, including any gates, barriers, supervision, restrictions, signs and arrangements for exceptional access. Do not assume that parking and playground areas are separate without checking the site layout.
- Proposed controls
- Where both areas are present, keep parking and playground areas separate and define how any necessary vehicle access near a playground is controlled. Consider physical separation, controlled gates, route restrictions, timing arrangements and supervision where appropriate to the assessed circumstances. Record layout changes and remedial measures.
Local assessment and additional controls
A vehicle strikes a pedestrian, cyclist, another vehicle or property while reversing, turning or manoeuvring where visibility is restricted.
- Existing controls
- Record current reversing arrangements, visibility aids, lighting, traffic direction, designated manoeuvring areas, supervision, driver instructions and restrictions. Verify whether these controls apply during all relevant operating periods.
- Proposed controls
- Where reversing or manoeuvring cannot be avoided, define a safer route or manoeuvring arrangement and consider separation, exclusion zones, one-way arrangements, visibility improvements, a trained banksman or other suitable controls. Avoid relying solely on warnings where a physical or organisational control is reasonably practicable. Record any required changes.
Local assessment and additional controls
Congestion during arrival, departure, breaks, events or other busy periods causes pedestrians and vehicles to mix unpredictably or blocks routes and access points.
- Existing controls
- Record current peak-period arrangements, supervision, opening and closing procedures, access restrictions, queuing arrangements, communication, emergency access arrangements and any temporary controls used during busy periods.
- Proposed controls
- Where peak periods create conflict or obstruction, define and communicate a managed arrangement for pedestrian and vehicle movements, including any timing, queuing, supervised crossing, restricted access or temporary separation measures. Review the arrangement when activities, numbers, access requirements or the site layout change.
Local assessment and additional controls
Visitors, contractors or delivery drivers are unfamiliar with the site's routes, restrictions or pedestrian priorities and enter an unsuitable area.
- Existing controls
- Record current visitor, contractor and delivery arrangements, including induction or instructions, sign-in processes, escorting, designated delivery points, communication and supervision. Confirm which arrangements apply to each relevant group.
- Proposed controls
- Where visitors, contractors or deliveries use the site, provide clear instructions and define routes, stopping areas, delivery times and any escort or supervision requirements appropriate to the assessed risk. Communicate temporary changes and prevent access to restricted areas where necessary.
Local assessment and additional controls
Pedestrian or vehicle routes become obstructed, damaged, poorly lit, slippery or otherwise unsuitable, diverting users into areas of conflict.
- Existing controls
- Record current inspection, housekeeping, lighting, surface condition, repair and obstruction-reporting arrangements for relevant routes and access areas. Note any known temporary restrictions without treating them as permanent controls.
- Proposed controls
- Maintain routes in a condition that supports the planned separation and circulation arrangements. Remove or control obstructions, repair defects, provide suitable temporary diversions and communicate restrictions until permanent remedial work is completed. Record defects, actions, owners and review dates.
Local assessment and additional controls
A change to the site layout, building works, parking, access, playground use, traffic pattern or school activity creates new or changed vehicle-pedestrian conflicts.
- Existing controls
- Record the current arrangements for reviewing changes, consulting relevant users, controlling construction or temporary access, updating signs and markings, and communicating revised routes. Do not assume that an existing assessment covers a changed layout or use.
- Proposed controls
- Before implementing a relevant change, reassess affected vehicle and pedestrian movements and update the register, route information, controls and remedial action records. Provide temporary separation and clearly communicate changed arrangements during works or other transitional periods. Retain a record of the change and the review undertaken.
Local assessment and additional controls
Emergency access, evacuation, mobility requirements or other exceptional movements conflict with normal vehicle and pedestrian circulation arrangements.
- Existing controls
- Record current emergency access routes, evacuation arrangements, accessible routes, gates, restrictions, key-holder or responder arrangements and any exceptional access procedures relevant to the site.
- Proposed controls
- Ensure that proposed circulation arrangements account for emergency access, evacuation and relevant mobility needs without relying on unverified assumptions. Define how normal controls are managed during an emergency or exceptional movement, and record any incompatibilities or remedial measures requiring further action.
Local assessment and additional controls