Car Free Zones introduced outside six Glasgow schools

A trial of car free zones that will improve road safety at six Glasgow primary schools will begin on the first day of new school term this September.

The scheme will see temporary pedestrian areas created around Bankhead, Broomhill, Hillhead, Lourdes, Our Lady of the Rosary and St Blane's primary schools for limited periods in the morning and afternoon to help ensure pupils can arrive and leave school safely.

Each of the schools chosen for the pilot have a history of complaints and concerns from parent councils, community council and elected members about pupil safety on the school run. Anyone driving within the temporary pedestrian zone will be at risk of enforcement action and a £50 fine.

The push for the pilot programme follows a series of concerns such as poor and risky driving outside schools, obstructive parking that forces pupils on to the road as well as the issues created by congestion and harmful emissions.

Chris Cunningham, City Convenor for Education, Skills and Early Years, said: "There is a public demand from parents and residents to make sure children are as safe as possible when heading to and from school.  A number of initiatives have already tried to clamp down on poor driver behaviour, but problems that put children at risk still persist.

"In the circumstances we have to go one step further to protect our children.  Car free zones outside schools can create safe spaces for young people at key points of the school day.  The zones are being introduced on a trial basis and we will be looking very carefully at the evidence to see how effective they prove to be."