The problem

There are too many cars on the school run. We’re all aware of how much more traffic there is in term time than in school holidays. Many school streets become danger zones during school run hours, with parents’ cars clogging narrow streets, reversing and even driving on the pavement. This causes air pollution at the school gates and puts families off walking, scooting or cycling to school, as well as being unpleasant for residents.
A solution used by more and more councils is “school streets” – traffic bans on school streets at the start and end of each school day (residents are exempt). The results:

• Cleaner air
• Safety for children
• More families choosing to walk, scoot and cycle to school
• Fewer cars on the school run.

Of course, not all schools or school streets are suitable for this – those on bus routes for instance, or where a high proportion of parents drive and there is nowhere suitable to park nearby. But we think there are plenty of school streets where this could make a radical difference.

Our ask

We want councils to make school streets traffic-free wherever possible.