Several West End schools have become car free zones.
Hyndland, Kelvindale and Scotstoun primaries and St Paul’s in Whiteinch are among the schools that no longer permit cars to drive outside during drop-off and pick-up times.
The move is part of the Spaces for People scheme that provides extra space for physical distancing for walkers, wheelers and cyclists.
A trial at six primaries recorded 69% fewer vehicles outside those schools at the start and end of the day.
Research from Napier University also shows the zones make areas feel safer and encourage active travel in the wider community.
The second wave of phase of the roll-out of the school car free zones was already in the pipeline but was brought forward as part of the effort to suppress the spread of Covid-19.
The new zones have been introduced on a temporary basis.
'Concern'
Councillor Anna Richardson, City Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction, said the measures were about pupils and staff feeling safe.
She said: “The Covid crisis is still with us and the concern about the need physical distancing remains at the forefront of people’s minds.
“Extra space outside schools will help staff and pupils get to school safely rather than deal with the often chaotic scenes witnessed at drop-off and pick-up times.
“There has been a very positive response to the car free zone trial with a big drop in traffic around the six schools at the times for the school run.
The Covid crisis is still with us and the concern about the need physical distancing remains at the forefront of people’s minds.
Extra space outside schools will help staff and pupils get to school safely rather than deal with the often chaotic scenes witnessed at drop-off and pick-up times.
There has been a very positive response to the car free zone trial with a big drop in traffic around the six schools at the times for the school run
Cllr Anna Richardson
“Significantly fewer cars at the school gate for when the bell goes makes it much safer for children to get to and from school.
“With risk on the roads around those schools there are greater opportunities for children to come and go safely from school on foot or by bike, which can only be good for health and well-being.”
Councillor Chris Cunningham, City Convener for Education, said: “All the evidence we have points towards car free zones making the school gate a safer place for children to be.
“It’s always been our intention to expand the use of school car free zones as much as possible and we are responding to where interest has been expressed.
“Parents routinely talk to us about road safety and want to know their children will be safe as they come and go from school.
Exempt
“The school car free zones are providing the kind of reassurance parents are looking for on road safety and they can also support physical distancing during this unprecedented time.”
The zones are designed to prohibit cars and other vehicles from driving up to school gates between 8.30am and 9.15am and then 2.30pm and 3.15pm each week day during term time.
Blue badge drivers are exempt and residents within the zones will be issued with permits that allow them to park without penalty.
But any other driver who enters the zone during the specified times can be fined £50 by police.
For any car free zone to become permanent a full traffic regulation order will be required.
The schools are: Battlefield Primary, Blairdardie Primary, Cadder Primary, Carntyne Primary, Dunard Primary, Gowanbank Campus, Hyndland Primary, Kelvindale Primary, King’s Park Primary, Merrylee Primary and Our Lady of the Annunciation, Mosspark Primary, Parkview Primary, Scotstoun Primary, St Angela’s Primary, St Anne’s Primary, St Bernard’s Primary, St Fillan’s Primary, St Paul’s Primary Shettleston; St Paul’s Primary Whiteinch.
