Wandsworth considers banning cars outside schools

The phenomenon that is School Streets continues to sweep across urban areas, with Wandsworth the latest area to consider piloting a scheme.

School Streets involve closing roads around schools to motorised traffic at peak times, in an effort to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality, as well as making it safer for children to walk or cycle.

On Friday (10 January), Wandsworth Council launched a four week consultation on plans to implement School Streets outside five primary schools in the borough.

The council says many schools and parents are concerned about road safety and air pollution – and believes the scheme will ease those fears.

The five pilot schools are: Alderbrook Primary School, Earlsfield Primary School, Furzedown Primary School, Hillbrook Primary School, Penwortham Primary School.

Residents living on the streets affected would be issued with permits and there will be some other exemptions, including blue badge holders.

Wandsworth Council says that if its proposals are well received, a pilot scheme could be launched during the current academic year.

School Streets are popping up across the country, including in Cardiff, where the council says it wants to ensure that children can attend school as ‘safely as possible’ – and end the ‘domination’ of cars around school gates.