Call to make school streets more pedestrian friendly

A group of charities is calling on Councils to use the £280 million of government funding to make the streets around schools safer and easier to implement social distancing once schools are back.

A survey, commissioned by Global Action Plan and carried out by Opinium, finds that six out of ten parents are worried about increased levels of traffic when lockdown is lifted, but that they are also keen to play their part. Over half (53%) plan to walk or cycle more than they did before after lockdown, and the vast majority of those that plan to be more active (79%) say that restricting vehicle access at certain times of the day would be helpful.
 
In response to the survey, the NGOs are calling on Councils to use £280 million of funding that has been made available by governments in UK for Local Authorities to build cycle lanes, widen pavements and restrict motor traffic to make school neighbourhoods safer.

Such action would be supported by the majority of the public. 69% of the public – including those without children – want to see communities retain safer roads and fewer car journeys when lockdown eases.

Social distancing requirements at the school gate risks children and parents spilling out into the road making vehicle restrictions on school streets an urgent safety need.

With the public advised to only use public transport as a last resort, a surge in car travel is possible if families do not feel it is safe enough for their children to walk or cycle to school. The majority of all adults want to see more space for pedestrians (63%), and cyclists (52%).

Increased traffic will increase air pollution which is particularly dangerous for children as it stunts their lung development. Leading scientists say that the coronavirus may be more dangerous for people whose lungs are already affected by air pollution. The survey also found half (50%) of expecting mothers and parents of children under 10, are now much more concerned about air pollution since lockdown.

The ten NGOs are made up of Global Action Plan, Mums for Lungs, Living Streets, Possible, ClientEarth, Cycling UK, Asthma UK & British Lung Foundation Partnership, FIA Foundation, Ella Roberta Family Foundation and Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Charity.