Three more schools in Edinburgh become "car free"

Three more schools in Edinburgh have joined the School Streets Scheme, meaning streets around the schools will be closed to traffic during school run times. 

15 schools applied to be part of the scheme, and after being assessed using the agreed criteria, the streets around Leith, St Mary’s and Gilmerton Primary Schools will be closed to traffic during the morning and the evening.

School Streets was first implemented as part of a trial at nine Edinburgh schools in 2015 and 2016, which saw more people walking to school, reduced traffic speeds and a reduction in the number of cars on roads nearby. The trial was subsequently made permanent at these schools and criteria was developed to allow more schools to apply to be part of the scheme.

The Living Streets WOW challenge is helping to encourage active travel by encouraging children to self-report how they get to school every day using an interactive tracker. If they travel sustainably once a week then they are rewarded with a badge. 

Chris Thompson, Schools Coordinator, Living Streets Scotland, said: "By closing the immediate streets outside school gates, the council and participating schools are sending a resounding message that walking to school, even for the last few minutes, is incredibly important for the wellbeing of young people.

"We want to see more children walking to school throughout Scotland and setting in place the habit of a lifetime, which is where our WOW challenge can help as it’s simple to run and the pupils enjoy taking part. Walking to school benefits the whole city, reducing congestion and air pollution whilst boosting the health of every child who is taking additional steps to school."