Private School Surge Linked to 27% Rise in Air Pollution, Say Campaigners
Campaigners reveal that private school traffic is driving a significant rise in air pollution and congestion in local areas
Herne Hill, Dulwich, London, Air Pollution, Traffic, Private Schools
Herne Hill: So, there’s this big fuss about how parents driving their kids to private schools is making air pollution worse. Campaigners say it’s up by 27%. Crazy, right?
They looked at some official data and found that when private schools are in session, pollution and traffic really spike in places like Herne Hill and Dulwich. It’s like a whole new level of congestion.
For instance, on Croxted Road, nitrogen dioxide levels jumped 16% when state schools were open, but shot up to 47% when private schools started back. That’s a huge difference!
Now, nitrogen dioxide is not just some random number; it’s a pollutant from car exhaust that can mess with your lungs. Over time, it can really take a toll on your health.
They also found that fine particulate matter, which is another nasty pollutant, increased by 25% when private schools reopened. It’s not looking good.
Nicola Pastore, who’s part of the group Solve the School Run, pointed out that everyone feels the impact of the school run, whether you’re driving, walking, or even just passing by.
Interestingly, even though private schools have fewer students—6,000 compared to 12,600 at state schools—they still cause a lot of traffic and pollution.
Parents in the area are pushing for private schools to use more eco-friendly transport options and create safer streets for kids. It’s all about making it easier for families to ditch the car.
One parent, Kate Hampson, shared that she and her kids usually bike to school, which is great until they hit the busy roads near the school. She wants safer routes for everyone.
Across London, a whopping 24% of kids are driven to primary school, adding an extra 240,000 car trips during rush hour. That’s a lot of cars on the road!
Back in 2022, the Mayor of London promised to tackle air pollution around schools by limiting car access during busy times. They’ve set up over 500 School Streets to help with that.
Will Norman, the Walking and Cycling Commissioner, is all about encouraging families to walk or bike instead of driving. It’s not just better for the environment; it’s safer and healthier too.
So, it looks like there’s a lot of work to do to make the school run better for everyone!