Students get the message

Did you know that one in five cars on the road at 8.50am is on the school run?

Parents cause massive traffic problems around schools by trying to drop their children as close to the gates as they can. They often breach parking regulations in the process.

The danger is not only to their children but to other pedestrians.

Now help is being offered to schools who wish to tackle the problem.

The Parksmart campaign is being rolled out to Edinburgh primary and some secondary schools. Pupils play a major part in a four-week project to get parents thinking about their parking behaviour. The first steps involve students coming up with a design for a banner to promote the campaign.

Pupils also carry out a survey on current dropping-off and parking arrangements around the school.

Cars frequently park on the yellow zig-zags or else double park, which causes obstructions and makes it impossible to cross the road safely.

Parksmart actively promotes walking to school or ‘park and stride’ as the easier, safer option.

Park and stride encourages parents to park a short distance away and walk the remaining part of the journey with their child, thus solving the congestion problem and including a healthy walk before the start of the school day!

Parents are asked to sign a pledge promoting the benefits of walking or cycling to school and are encouraged to continue to do this wherever possible.

Need to know

For more information please contact the School Travel Co-ordinator team on 0131 469 3786 or e-mail schooltravelcoordinator@edinburgh.gov.uk