Car free school zones

Car Free School Zones is an initiative where the streets outside a school are closed to traffic at school opening and closing times. Closing the streets to vehicles helps achieve a safer, more pleasant environment for everyone using the streets whilst maintaining access for residents, businesses, pedestrians and cyclists. The initiative is supported by Sustrans and Scottish Government (Cycling, Walking and Safer Routes Scheme).

The main aims of the scheme are to:

• reduce the volume of traffic past school gates
• improve the air quality where there is greatest concentration of children.
• encourage more pupils to walk or cycle to school, with the health benefits this would also bring

Pilot Car Free Zones (CFZs) at St Joseph’s Primary School, Blantyre, and Burnside Primary School, Rutherglen have been in operation since 19 April 2022.

Times of operation for the schemes are currently as follows:

• Burnside Primary School – 8.30am to 9.15am and 2.30pm to 3.15pm
• St. Joseph’s Primary School and Nursery – 8.30am to 9.30am and 2.30pm to 3.15pm

The schemes are enforced by Police Scotland and the penalty for ignoring the prohibition is a fixed penalty notice of £50. Prohibition signs are installed at the entrances to the zones to highlight the restriction to drivers. 

Initial monitoring of both schemes is ongoing and we are now looking for your views on the current and future operation of the scheme.

Have your say

Please complete our online survey. The consultation closes on Friday 3 March.