Lewisham Council is celebrating the roll out of five new School Streets, taking the total number in the borough to 45.
School Streets involve closing roads outside of schools to motor traffic at the start and end of the school day.
The aim is to reduce congestion and improve air quality, as well as making it easier and safer to walk or cycle to school.
The newest School Streets went live on 24 February, outside Stillness Infants and Stillness Juniors, Beecroft Garden, Childeric, Elfrida and Grinling Gibbons primary schools.
The mayor of Lewisham, Damien Egan, joined the headteachers and pupils at Stillness Primary School in Crofton Park to celebrate their introduction.
He said: “We’re delighted to be rolling out even more School Streets in Lewisham, which will help improve air quality around schools.
“There has been a lot of positive feedback from parents, teachers and the children at Stillness Primary School and I’m looking forward to rolling out more school streets over the coming months.”
Cllr Patrick Codd, cabinet member for environment and transport at Lewisham Council, said: “We’re incredibly proud of our School Streets programme, which is helping ensure that children can enjoy a more relaxing and healthier school run free from toxic pollution and road traffic.
“Motor vehicle pollution makes up one of the largest shares of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK, and it’s clear that in order to successfully tackle the climate emergency we must reduce the use of cars.
“I’d like to give a huge thanks to teachers, who are working hard to support the schemes at the start and end of every school day.
“We’ll continue working with local schools to identify other opportunities for School Streets, as part of our work to create a healthier, cleaner and greener borough for everyone.”
02 March 2022