CHILDREN in poor areas of Glasgow may be unable to walk to school due to a lack of safe paths and streets, according to new research.

A study carried out at Glasgow University looked at urban areas across Scotland and found that the richest areas of the country are usually the worst for families walking.

But in Glasgow itself, they found the most deprived areas scored the lowest on measures of "walkability".

Researchers said housing schemes like Easterhouse, Drumchapel and Castlemilk, where housing was less dense and streets and paths were less connected, are likely to discourage walking. Earlier studies have shown such factors are important in encouraging primary school children to make their way to school on foot.

Academic Laura MacDonald said: “Glasgow was the opposite of the rest of our findings as it was the deprived areas which were less ‘walkable’.

“It could be that there is something in the urban planning which took place in Glasgow in the 1950s which makes areas like Castlemilk, Drumchapel and Easterhouse different.”

The councils and other agencies promoting active lifestyles should look at what makes it pleasant for children to walk and the ways in which the design of areas can encourage people to leave the car behind on the school run, she said.

“Only 50 per cent of kids walk to school, and we need to know why the other kids are not walking.”

“It could be that because of issues like safety, crime and traffic density, parents feel kids are less safe. More research is needed to look at these factors.”

Generally, families in better off areas may have more access to cars, and homes are less densely packed, so distances to school may be greater, while there are more cul de sacs, Ms MacDonald said.

It is in high density residential areas which are also "service hubs" with shopping and other facilities - like the city centre, the West End and the South Side – where "walkability" scores are highest, she added.

“School neighbourhoods within the most deprived areas, on the other hand, tend to be further from these business and service hubs,” she said.

The research says walking is good for children and pedestrian friendly streets can be safe and attractive, while children like the sociability of walking to school.

It calls for specific areas to be allocated resources to encourage walking.

Ms MacDonald added: “Strategy to improve active travel should focus on these smaller socially disadvantaged areas; those involved in developing local authority urban and transport policies could work towards providing improved connectivity and reduced levels of traffic on school routes.

“Children in deprived areas are more likely to walk to school, it is thus essential that these areas are pedestrian-friendly and provide a safe, and pleasant environment for walking.”