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Do you support car-free zones outside Caithness schools?


By David G Scott

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New research reveals nearly two thirds (67 per cent) of people in Scotland support car-free zones outside schools to help more families walk to school.

It comes ahead of Living Streets’ Walk to School Week (May 17-21) when thousands of children will take to their feet for the journey to school.

Pupils walking into Wick High School. Picture: DGS
Pupils walking into Wick High School. Picture: DGS

New research revealed by the organisation showed that the majority of people in Scotland are in favour of measures to make it easier for families to walk to school. Despite the many personal and environmental benefits of walking to school, the number of children doing so is much lower than it was a generation ago – currently less than half compared to 70 per cent in the 1970s.

The YouGov poll found that nearly two thirds of people in Scotland (67 per cent) support car-free zones outside schools, with support also for safer crossings (57 per cent), a ban on pavement parking (55 per cent) and lower speed limits (47 per cent).

One in four cars on Britain’s roads at peak times are on the school run, generating half a million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. The charity is urging families to leave the car at home for the journey to school and is urging local authorities to make it easier for families to choose cleaner, sustainable travel.

Car passing Thurso High School. Picture: DGS
Car passing Thurso High School. Picture: DGS

Mary Creagh, chief executive, 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 in over 2,000 schools across the UK and parents tell 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.

Thurso High School. Picture: DGS
Thurso High School. Picture: DGS

“We want at least one school street – closed to traffic at drop off and pick up times - in every ward to help more families enjoy the fresh air, freedom, friendship and fun that walking to school brings.”

Families will be encouraged to walk, cycle, scoot or "Park and Stride" for the whole Walk to School Week to see the big differences that come from small steps, from healthier and happier children to fewer cars outside the school gates.

To find out more about Walk to School Week visit livingstreets.org.uk/wtsw


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