Focus of work
School Streets (the restriction of motor traffic on roads passing schools at drop-off and pick-
up times during term time) are a very popular scheme to reduce air pollution at the school
gate, reduce road danger, enable active travel and promote walking over driving children to
school. Signs are put up to inform drivers of the restriction, and barriers or cameras can be
used as enforcement. Residents, local businesses and blue badge holders can often apply for
exemptions.
This grant will enable Mums for Lungs (M4L) to provide resources for school communities,
parents/carers and local authority officers. In particular, M4L will:
- Develop informative written materials and communications that are easy to share across different platforms.
- Support local councils by sharing best practice advice and networks.
- Deliver FOI research on the cost of camera enforcement to make financing transparent for cash strapped councils.
- In the absence of central government advocacy for School Streets, it will reach out strategically to strengthen ministerial or departmental support for these impactful schemes.
Image credit: Paul Gapper
Impact
Children are exposed to up to five times more air pollution on the school run than at any other time, and the links between pollution and health problems are well known. School Streets are proven to reduce air pollution around a school – research shows that nitrogen dioxide levels are reduced by up to 23 per cent where there is a School Street. Travelling actively improves mood, behaviour and confidence, increases attention levels, and enhances performance.
There are 816 School Street schemes in London, and due to M4L campaigning, the London Borough of Lambeth has promised to deliver School Streets to 90% of their primary schools.
Outside of London there are only about 200 schemes across England, partly because legislation makes camera enforcement more complicated, but also because local authorities have less experience around the effective delivery of schemes and there’s less public awareness. However, progress has been made, and in Manchester, delivery will increase sixfold in the next four years due to M4L advocacy.
This grant will support Mums for Lungs to advise and enable local authorities and parent/carer communities to deliver more School Streets and bolster public demand for this popular and proven intervention.