Parents driving children to private schools is linked to a 27 per cent increase in air pollution and traffic, according to campaigners.
Analysis of official data by Solve the School Run shows a significant increase in air pollution and congestion in Herne Hill and Dulwich with the start of the private school term.
Figures from Croxted Road, Herne Hill, show Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) increased by 16 per cent when state schools were in term, then surged to 47 per cent when private schools went back.
NO2 is an air pollutant which comes from burning car fuel. High levels of NO2 can inflame the airways in peoples lungs and, over a long period of time, affect lung function.
The campaign group also sourced data for fine particulate matter emitted from vehicle exhausts, known as PM2.5, which rose by 25 per cent when private schools reopened.
A School Street blocks off traffic outside Bessemer Primary School (Picture: Alice Bing)
Bus times were also affected, running 51 per cent slower at morning peak times on the days private schools were open, according to TfL figures.
Nicola Pastore, a data analytics consultant and co-founder of Solve the School Run said: “The data is clear – we are all affected by the school run, whether we are bus passengers, dog-walkers or families on our way to school.”
The increase in air pollution and congestion during private school term time comes despite private schools accounting for only half as many pupils in the area.
The analysis found 6,000 pupils attended private schools in Herne Hill, compared with 12,600 at state schools, one of the highest concentrations of private education in the country.
Solve the School Run is made up of parents with children in private and state schools calling for private schools to make greater use of sustainable transport, safer school streets and more cycle paths.
Kate Hampson, a South London parent and member of Solve The School Run said: “Most days my kids and I cycle the two miles to their independent school.
“Otherwise we take the train and then walk the 10 minute journey from the station.
“Much of the bike ride is joyful thanks to closed roads and school streets. But it’s a different story near the school, where there is no bike lane and heavy traffic.
“Walking along the same main road from the station is also unpleasant. I want safe options for all families, so they can leave the car at home.”
Parents and children join the Coopers Lane Bike Bus (Picture: Donna Ford)
Across the capital, 24 per cent of pupils are driven to primary school every weekday, causing an extra 240,000 car trips on the roads each morning and afternoon rush hour.
In 2022, the Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan, pledged to reduce air pollution around schools by restricting car access during peak times through the School Streets programme.
There are now more than 500 School Streets across London as well as more than 100 Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) schemes.
The Walking and Cycling Commissioner for London, Will Norman, said: “We know that the majority of children walk or cycle to school, and the Mayor and I are doing everything we can to encourage more Londoners to choose active and sustainable transport for shorter journeys.
“We’re calling on families in London to consider walking, cycling or using public transport for the school run, not just for environmental but for safety and health benefits, to build a better, fairer and greener London for all”.
Pictured top: Solve the School Run volunteers campaign against the traffic on their return to school (Picture: Solve the School Run)