Birmingham to trial car-free school streets

Date: 30th July 2019
Category: Recreation, play and cultural activities

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The September 2019 trial will see vehicles banned from roads surrounding six schools at the beginning and end of the school day.

The plan, backed by Birmingham City Council, aims to reduce traffic and improve air quality at the school gates, as well as making it easier and safer for children to get to and from school.

Residents on these streets will be given permits and exempt from the ban. However, all others will face a penalty of £50.

Councillor Waseem Zaffar said: “Air pollution affects everyone in Birmingham, but especially children. Transport is responsible for around 80 per cent of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and the school gate is a location where we are particularly exposed to this. These closures will really benefit local communities, improving people’s health and the environment. This is a pilot scheme but ultimately I want every school in the city to be a clean air safe haven for our children.”