Parents want school 'traffic free' zones

Two thirds of people in the North East want ‘car free zones’ to be created outside schools, according to a new survey.

The research, by the Living Streets charity, shows 64% of people who took part want the ban to improve road safety and cut exhaust fumes from vehicles.

The charity, which promotes everyday walking, released the findings to coincide with National Walk to School Week – from May 17 to 21.

The YouGov poll also found parents in the region also want lower traffic speeds near schools (42%), a crackdown on pavement parking (57%) and safer crossings (61%).

The charity say one in four cars on the roads at peak times are on the school run – generating half a million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. – and is urging families to leave the car at home for the journey to school.

It is also urging national and local government to make it easier for families to choose cleaner, sustainable travel. Mary Creagh, chief executive of Living Streets, said: “We’ve seen the huge improvements on offer to health and air quality when we drive less and walk more. We need to ensure families feel safe and confident to walk to school so we can keep enjoying these benefits. “We work nationwide in over 2,000 schools and parents tells us they are put off walking because of speeding vehicles, unsafe crossings and cars parked on pavements. By making school streets car free, we remove those barriers – and our new research shows that most people back these changes.”