Cars will be banned from outside 30 schools across Brent during drop off and pick up times in an attempt to improve safety and cut down on pollution.

Brent Council announced the new measures as part of its ‘Streetspace’ programme, which uses funding from Transport for London to promote active travel in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It explained that a reduction in cars around school gates will encourage social distancing as staff and students return to class.

Other benefits – the council said – include improved air quality, safer routes for pupils, and a move towards more cycling and walking.

Cllr Krupa Sheth, who is responsible for the environment at Brent Council, said: “We know that air pollution has a particularly detrimental effect on the health of children.

“By discouraging polluting traffic around schools, we also hope to improve local air quality and protect young lungs.

“Lockdown has given us lots of opportunities to reflect on the way in which our travel habits impact the environment and I’m pleased that this is one of a number of new initiatives we are working on to tackle these issues head-on.”

And Cllr Shama Tatler, who is responsible for regeneration, property, and planning at Brent Council, said it was important to encourage children to consider healthier travel habits as early as possible.

The measures were trialled at Harlesden and Wykeham Primary Schools earlier this year, and council officers said the schemes were “overwhelmingly” supported by parents and teachers.

A full list of schools involved in the project is below: 

  • Queens Park Community School
  • Malorees Infant and Junior Schools
  • Brentfield Primary
  • St Marys CoE Primary School
  • Mora
  • Our Lady of Grace Infants
  • John Keble
  • MapleWalk
  • Convent Jesus and Mary Language College
  • Harlesden
  • Princess Frederica CE VA Primary School
  • Ark Franklin Primary Academy
  • Mount Stewart Infant and Junior School
  • Uxendon Primary School
  • Claremont Primary School
  • Christchurch
  • Kingsbury High School
  • Kingsbury Green Primary School
  • Northview
  • Wykeham
  • Preston Park
  • Stonebridge Primary
  • Our Lady of Lourdes
  • Elsley
  • St Joseph Infants
  • St Joseph Juniors
  • St Mary Magdalen’s Catholic Junior School
  • Convent of J and M Infants
  • St Joseph Primary
  • Leopold