Car ban plan to aid physical distancing at city schools

More than 20 schools could have zones

CARS are set to be banned at drop off and pick up time at 21 more schools across the city. Glasgow City Council has identified schools where car-free zones will be introduced to provide extra space while Covid-19 restrictions are in place. Zones will not be in operation when children return to school later this month but are being “processed relatively quickly”.

The schools are not being revealed by the council until headteachers are informed and community engagement can begin.

One councillor has warned a carfree zone trial in his ward has been “a complete failure in every sense”.

The plan was revealed by Councillor Anna Richardson, city convener for sustainability and carbon reduction, during a full council meeting.

“This work is currently in progress,” she said. “It will bring a number of benefits, including increased physical activity levels for our young people.

“It will also reduce congestion around the school, and air pollution as well.

“Officers are working hard to ensure this will be a shorter process than normal, and therefore should be processed relatively quickly – only once schools have bedded in for the new term.

“We want to make sure that happens smoothly before we begin the work on implementing these schemes.”

A trial of car-free zones began at six primary schools across the city in August last year.

They were introduced to improve road safety, and reduce harmful emissions, outside Bankhead, Broomhill, Hillhead, Lourdes, Our Lady of the Rosary and St Blane’s