Glasgow City Council hopes the expansion of its school car free zone scheme will help allay parents’ concerns about road safety around schools.
Car free zones were first trialled at seven primary schools in the city during 2019.
The zones prohibit cars and other vehicles from driving up to school gates between 8.30am and 9.15am and then 2.30pm and 3.15pm each week day during term time.
They are designed to make it safer for children to get to and from school – and encourage more pupils to walk or cycle.
Analysis of the existing schemes shows there has been 69% fewer vehicles identified outside schools during the morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up.
As part of the expansion, schemes will be introduced at 21 schools, on a temporary basis, from October. Work to engage with parents, pupils and teachers is already underway.
The expansion has been brought forward as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and the need to create additional road space for physical distancing for walking, wheeling and cycling.
Cllr Anna Richardson, city convener for sustainability and carbon reduction, said: “There has been a very positive response to the car free zone trial with a big drop in traffic around the six schools at the times for the school run.
“Significantly fewer cars at the school gate for when the bell goes makes it much safer for children to get to and from school.
“With calmer roads around those schools there are greater opportunities for children to come and go safely from school on foot or by bike, which is great for health and well-being.
“The Covid crisis is still with us and the concern about the need for physical distancing remains at the forefront of people’s minds.
“Extra space outside schools will help staff and pupils get to school safely rather than deal with the often chaotic scenes witnessed at drop-off and pick-up times.”
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