Tell us your thoughts on car free zones

Published: Tuesday 7 February 2023

This graphic has the text We are a Car Free School and is to promote the consultation underway on two schemes at primary schools in South Lanarkshire

Residents and the local school community are being asked for their views on car free zones outside two primary schools.

The zones have been in operation since April 2022 at St Joseph’s Primary School, Blantyre and Burnside Primary School, Rutherglen.

You can give your feedback on the zones at the two schools by completing the survey online. The consultation closes on Friday 3 March.

Chair of South Lanarkshire Council’s Community and Enterprise Resources Committee, Councillor Robert Brown, said: “We want to hear from as many people as possible who live in and around the car free zones, or who have children who attend the schools in question.

“The main aims of the scheme are to reduce the volume of traffic past school gates, improve the air quality where there is the greatest concentration of children and to encourage more pupils to walk or cycle to school, with the additional health benefits this will bring.

“Closing the streets to vehicles helps achieve a safer, more pleasant environment for everyone using the streets while maintaining access for residents, businesses, pedestrians and cyclists.”

Police Scotland enforce the zones and fixed penalty notices of £50 can be issued to anyone ignoring the restrictions. Signs are in place at the entrances to highlight the restrictions.

The initiative is supported by Sustrans and the Scottish Government (Cycling, Walking and Safer Routes Scheme).