London’s School Street initiative has seen pollution in the UK capital reduce by 23%, according to a new study.
The report, published by London mayor Sadiq Khan, has revealed that the School Street scheme has been successful in reducing nitrogen dioxide levels in the capital.
Pollution sensors were installed at 18 primary schools in areas including Brent, Enfield and Lambeth. These sensors measured the effect of road closures around schools at pick-up and drop-off times.
Some 350 School Street schemes have been introduced in London since April 2020, with the aim of reducing car trips and improve air quality.
Khan said: “School Streets play an important role in enabling parents and children to walk, cycle or scoot to and from school which has so many benefits, not least in improving air quality.
“It’s great to see the huge reduction in nitrogen dioxide during pick up and drop off on schools streets – a time where countless children and adults would otherwise be exposed to dangerous emissions.
“Too many lives are already lost each year as a result of our city’s toxic air and the results of our monitoring study show just how much of a difference reducing car journeys through School Streets makes.”
Furthermore, a separate survey conducted by Transport for London also revealed that 81% of parents and carers support the measures at their children’s school.
From those surveyed three-quarters support the measures being implemented in the long-term, following a public consultation.
