School Car Free Zone
- 5
- 4 min to read
About the city. Many schools across Glasgow experience a number of traffic-related issues at the beginning and end of each school day.
Goal
The aim of the project is to limit traffic in the streets surrounding schools, creating a predominantly car-free zone.
Implementation period. The first phase of the project was introduced in August 2019.
Fact
- The introduction of the zones follows an ongoing trial of car-free zones, which resulted in a significant reduction in traffic around six primary schools, with 69% fewer vehicles detected outside these schools at the start and end of the day.
- Research from Napier University also shows that school car-free zones have a positive impact on perceptions of road safety and encourage active travel in the wider community.
- A study commissioned by The British Lung Foundation found that 75% of people living in Glasgow believe that banning cars from entering school gates will improve air quality.
Solutions
Glasgow City Council has unveiled a pilot project, the ‘School Car Free Zone’.
This scheme will encourage active walking and cycling to school, which in turn will help reduce congestion and pollution in the area.
These zones were designed so that cars and other vehicles could not drive up to the school gates from 8.30 am to 9.15 am, and then from 2.30 PM to 3.15 PM every weekday during term time.
Video:
There are exceptions for drivers with blue badges, and residents within the zones will be issued permits allowing them to park without penalty. Any other driver who enters the area at the specified time can be fined £50 by the police.
Challenges
Some parents have reacted badly to the fact that they have to park further away from school to drop off their children in a bid to cut pollution.
Team
Glasgow City Council
Timeline
Phase 1 of the scheme (6 schools) was introduced in August 2019 and Phase 2 (20 schools) will go live on 19 October 2020 and each scheme will run for an initial period of up to 18 months.
If you notice an error or inaccuracy in our editorials, please email [email protected] so we can look into it.
