Number of fines are revealed in controversial car- free zones at Glasgow schools

Just 121 penalty notices handed out

FEWER than 150 drivers have been fined for breaching Glasgow’s school car- free zones since its inception in 2019, the Glasgow Times can reveal.

A total of 40 schools are now enrolled in the School Streets scheme, which prohibits drivers from travelling along certain streets at set times throughout the day during the school term.

The project was a brainchild of Glasgow City Council staff with the aim of reducing heavily congested traffic around school drop- off and pick- up times.

It falls to Police Scotland to catch those breach the ban, but figures show only 121 fixed penalty notices have been handed out over the course of scheme.

A total of nine penalties in the form of a £ 50 fine were issued from August 2019 to June 2020, with low numbers likely due to the coronavirus lockdown and the “light touch” approach which gave parents at the six schools involved time to adjust to the then- pilot project.

The following year, from August 2020 to June 2021, 57 fines were handed out with drivers at Berryknowes Road near Lourdes Primary in Cardonald being the biggest offender accounting for 12 penalties.

The most recent figures, from August 2021 to June 2022, revealed 55 drivers had received punishments. The majority were caught on the streets surrounding King’s Park Primary with a high of 16.

Parents at Broomhill Primary said the number of near misses highlighted that the “ill- thoughtout” scheme needed to be examined by council chiefs.

A parent council member said: “It needs to be clear that it will be enforced for people to take it seriously.”

Meanwhile, Councillor Jim Kavanagh has said parents don’t adhere to his ward’s Our Lady of the Rosary Primary’s car- free zone at Lourdes Avenue and Tarfside Gardens, leaving the area in “utter chaos” as parents rush to take their children to and from school.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are committed to improving road safety in Glasgow and work closely with a number of partners, including Glasgow City Council Where demand allows, we conduct patrols in these areas and carry out enforcement action when needed.

“However, the threat of enforcement should not be the sole factor in a driver’s consideration when driving near schools.

“It is important that people take personal responsibility when using their vehicle and adhere to the measures which are in place for children’s safety.”

However, supporters of the scheme insist it is working to keep children safe and have praised both the council and police for ensuring drivers are deterred from entering the areas.

Research into the project by the University of Edinburgh showed traffic surrounding the West End’s Broomhill Primary had decreased by 69% since it began, showcasing benefits for both youngsters travelling to the area and the greater environment.

Councillor Paul Leinster, whose ward includes King’s Park Primary where most fines were received last term, said: “The purpose of the car- free zones is to keep children safe and the strong enforcement action outside

Kings Park Primary is welcome. Enforcement action serves as a deterrent to those who chose to break the rules and endanger the safety of children.”

Just last month, officers confirmed they would be out and about in a bid to snare drivers who attempt to breach the zones, but campaigners have urged the council to do more insisting police are too busy.

A Glasgow City Council spokesperson added: “The School Streets scheme has been well observed at schools across the city and reduced traffic movements outside schools at bell time in the morning and afternoon.

“Drivers have a basic responsibility to observe the restrictions and driving into a School Streets zone is the equivalent of ignoring a no- entry sign, which any right- minded person would see as a clear risk to safety. Enforcement against those who flaunt the restrictions created by the School Streets scheme is a police matter.

“But we do work closely with the police in support of the initiative and we are aware that police have a programme of patrols in place to target those that drive into a School Streets zone without authorisation.

“Regular reminders are issued about the zones and where complaints arise, we have undertaken days of action with the police to highlight the restrictions and target offending drivers.

“We are keen to look at camera enforcement in support of the School Streets scheme but unfortunately we do not have the powers to introduce cameras at this stage.”

What do you think of the zones? Email letters@ glasgowtimes. co. uk