CAMPAIGNERS have called for a traffic ban in streets around all Scottish schools as Edinburgh moves to cement exclusion zones at nine city campuses.

Residents living next to the capital schools where vehicles are prohibited must apply for a council permit to flout the ban which will come into force at peak travel times or when indicated through signs with flashing lights.

The prohibition will be enforced through a traffic restriction order.

Read more: Council in bids to trial school-run car ban

UK charity Living Streets, which aims to create a "walking nation", called on all Scottish councils to follow Edinburgh's lead, which came in the wake of an 18-month trial.

It is hoped the move will encourage more children to walk or cycle to school.

"The pilot shows that closing off streets to traffic creates a safer and more pleasant environment that boosts walking to school," said Stuart Hay, director of Living Streets Scotland.

"It also shows encouraging parents to park further away reduces air pollution near schools.

“Edinburgh council has shown that school street closures boost walking to school, even if it’s just from drop-off points because more families park and stride.

"Walking to school reduces public health costs and boosts the health of every child who is taking additional steps to school."

And he added: "We hope Edinburgh can inspire councils across Scotland and the rest of the UK to follow its lead.”

Read more: Council in bids to trial school-run car ban

More than 30 schools across the capital originally expressed an interest in participating in the pilot.

The primary schools included in the test phases were Abbeyhill, Colinton, Cramond, Duddingston, Sciennes, St John's, Clermiston, St Peter's, and Towerbank.

A crossing guard has not been allocated to any nine schools taking part in the project. Only Sciennes PS should have a working guard but the position is currently vacant.

Last year, parents of primary school pupils called for a car ban in Glasgow's West End in a bid to improve safety.

At this stage Glasgow City Council and Aberdeen City Council have both said they have no plans to introduce a ban.

Lesley Hinds, Edinburgh 's transport convenor, said the aim of the school ban was to "promote active and sustainable travel".

And she added that introducing the traffic measures created a "safe and relaxed atmosphere" near the city's schools.

Read more: Council in bids to trial school-run car ban

During the pilot scheme, it was noted that 3,179 fewer vehicles travelled along streets near to the schools when surveys were takng place.

The number of vehicles on surrounding streets increased by 920 over the same period.

The average speed reduction across all the restricted streets and surrounding roads was 1.2mph.

Paul Lawrence, an executive director at the council, said in the £186,000 pilot expected to be rubber-stamped by councillors next week sparked a three per cent rise in children walking to school and a six per cent reduction in children being driven to school, with a one per cent drop in children cycling to school.

He said only six schools were included in those calculation, adding: "There are concerns with data consistency and quality with this method, however, this offers a sense that the project has seen increased levels of walking and reduced levels of driving, though cycling levels also appear to have fallen."