The school run and its contribution to the wider problems around urban transport, air pollution, road danger and localised congestion is now a fact of life in many Scottish towns and cities. Targeting drivers making the school run is probably the highest profile example of where the implementation of travel behaviour change measures can have a welcome and very visible effect. Some local authorities resort to employing security guards or request support from the local police to enforce existing parking restrictions. In a recent and well publicised case, road closures have been enacted to stop drivers from even approaching a school entrance area at all. But the school run is a very easy target, forming as it does an axis of evil made up of a travel planner’s bêtes-noires; indiscriminate parking, dangerous driving and in some but not all cases, lazy parents. The problem is well known, unlikely to go away any time soon and while very unpopular with those who experience its negative effects, it is still a long way from being socially unacceptable. But the support that schools can provide in promoting awareness of sustainable transport issues is potentially much greater than the fifteen minute post-breakfast dash and drop-off at the school gates. Actively engaging with young people to raise awareness of particular social issues is now carried out by a range of organisations including national governments up to the United Nations. This paper discusses how JMP working with Perth & Kinross Council (PKC) has used primary school classroom workshops to promote awareness of active travel, local air quality issues and public transport options to school pupils, their families and the broader community. (Author/publisher)
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