New poll shows majority of Scottish parents support traffic calming measures as Walk to School Week begins

• New research from YouGov shows majority of parents want safer crossings and 20mph speed limits; 

• Living Streets Scotland, part of the UK charity for everyday walking, is encouraging families to ditch their cars for the school run for Walk to School Week

New research from Living Streets released for Walk to School Week (5 – 9 October 2020) reveals the majority of Scottish parents support measures to make walking safer and easier.  

The YouGov survey[1] found support from Scottish parents for car-free zones outside schools (61%), safer crossings (54%) and20mph speed limits (51%). 

In Scotland, 61 per cent of parents want to see a ban on pavement parking compared with 47 per cent of parents GB-wide, while 48 per cent support efforts to reduce rat-running.   

The parents polled believed the biggest benefits of walking to school for their children were being physically fitter (90%), getting fresh air (88%), reducing congestion (68%) and being cost-free (61%). Respondents also commented that physical distancing “is easier when walking” and that walking to school allowed their children to learn road safety and independence skills. 

Despite these benefits, less than half (41%) of primary school children in Scotland currently walk to school[2]. Living Streets is campaigning for action to encourage families to choose to walk, scoot or cycle to school. 

Mary Creagh, Chief Executive, Living Streets, said: “Every child should be able to walk to school safely, and enjoy the fresh air, freedom, friendship and fun that it brings.  It’s clear from our research that parents see the benefits, but concerns around rat runs and air pollution are putting them off. 

“Across the country, there is a silent majority of parents in favour of safer crossings and slower speeds, but too often, their voices are drowned out by a vocal minority who often live outside the area. 

“It’s vital that we scale up for walking, to protect children and families from the physical and social isolation the pandemic has brought, and to tackle the twin epidemics of loneliness and obesity.”

Stuart Hay, Director, Living Streets Scotland, said: “We need to put measures in place to make walking a viable option for families. We know from our work with schools across Scotland that families are put off walking to school by traffic, road danger and air pollution. By removing cars, we remove these barriers. 

“We need to put our children’s health first, especially during the current pandemic, and we must address the problems caused by inactivity, air pollution and road danger.”

Walk to School Week is a five-day walking challenge in which children are encouraged to walk, cycle or scoot every day of the week and share their experiences with classmates through interactive activity packs.

The challenge is a stepping stone to WOW – the year-round walk to school challenge from Living Streets which sees walk to school rates increase by 23 per cent on average, with a 30 per cent reduction in cars around the school gates. 

To find out more, visit livingstreets.org.uk/wtsw or search #WalktoSchoolWeek 

[1] All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 4223 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 16th – 18th September 2020.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

[2] 41 per cent of children walk or cycle to primary school in Scotland, Hands Up Scotland Survey, Sustrans