Local Outcome 3: Traffic-free schools pilot

A Traffic-free Schools pilot scheme to increase child and pedestrian safety was launched at four East Dunbartonshire schools in November 2023.

Traffic-Free Schools is an initiative where driving is prohibited on sections of road immediately outside the entrance to schools, for a short period of time at the start and end of the school day.

This can improve safety by reducing the volume of vehicles parked and moving around at the busiest areas for children and adults accessing the school.

By removing cars, it is also intended to make places more attractive for walking, wheeling and cycling and thereby encouraging more journeys to be made in this way.

Three locations were selected for the pilot – Clober Primary School in Milngavie, Craighead Primary School in Milton of Campsie and the shared St Matthew’s and Wester Cleddens Primary School campus in Bishopbriggs.

The scheme – which will run until the schools finish up for Christmas break on 20 December 2024 - will prohibit driving at selected roads, adjacent to the schools, between 8.30am and 9.15am and between 2.30pm and 3.15pm, from Mondays through to Fridays during term time.

The Council’s Parking Management Plan, which was approved in 2022, set out its commitment to improve road safety and the environment outside schools for pupils, carers and neighbouring residents.

It is hoped that the initiative will lead to improvements in the air quality and a reduction in noise pollution and help to deliver a safer and more pleasant environment for everyone.

To support the development of the project and assist with monitoring its effectiveness, the Council consulted with school senior management teams and with Police Scotland.

A survey was also carried out, ahead of the pilot launch, which included responses from school staff, parents and carers and local residents. Over 340 people responded to the survey, with 66% of respondents telling us that they were positive or very positive about its introduction.

Ahead of the launch, a variety of awareness-raising materials were created, and work was undertaken with schools on supporting projects such as increased cycle parking. A communications campaign, which included a photo call at the Bishopbriggs schools’ campus, ensured media coverage of the launch and social media reminders to residents across the wider community.

Access is maintained at all times for permit holders - including residents and local businesses, blue-badge holders and permitted vehicles including emergency workers, health visitors and carers, school buses and contract taxis, postal and delivery vehicles, utility company vehicles, council vehicles such as bin lorries and vehicles used in connection with wedding and funeral operations.

Anyone violating restrictions will be committing an offence and eligible for a £50 fixed fine from Police Scotland, who are responsible for enforcing the scheme.

Existing parking restrictions remain unaffected while residents and local businesses automatically received one vehicle permit per property with the option to apply for more, free of charge.

Since the launch of the pilot, the following feedback has been received by the Council via email:

• “The lack of cars has made such a difference. Much safer and the air is much better.”
• “I would just like to say that I find walking my granddaughter home is definitely less stressful with the measures in place. Definitely an improvement!!”

As this is a pilot project, the Council is undertaking detailed monitoring of the project through traffic counts, parking surveys and qualitative surveys with parents/carers, school staff and local residents. These surveys were carried out prior to the project starting and will be repeated while the project is in place to understand how effective the restrictions have been. The results of the monitoring will inform next steps for the project at each school as well as any potential expansion of the project to additional locations.