Schools in Stockport are to trial temporary road closures around start and finish times later this year.
'School Streets' aim to make the area around schools safer and healthier for pupils and parents, so they are more likely to walk, cycle or scoot there, rather than travel by car. A total of eight primary schools have put themselves forward to pilot a short-term trial before the end of the summer term.
A Stockport council spokesperson said the authority was committed to making roads safer for everyone living, working, and visiting the borough. They added: “We are creating a cleaner environment that will reduce air pollution and improve the health and wellbeing of the community by encouraging more walking and cycling wherever possible.”
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Under the trial scheme an area of road around the school will be temporarily closed to non-essential vehicles for short periods at the beginning and end of the school day.Only pedestrians, cyclists and scooters are permitted to access a zone while the restriction is in place.
However, residents and visitors - such as health care workers - will still be given access although permits may be needed. Emergency vehicles will be given access automatically.
Council bosses say this ‘frees up’ road space to make it easier and safer for children and families to be more active on their school journey. It should also lead to improved air quality and a better overall environment at the beginning and end of the school day.
The proposal also supports the aims of school travel plans, which encourage active travel as an alternative to short car journeys. According to a council consultation document the measures should result in:
- Less road danger from traffic
- Less anti-social behaviour from inconsiderate parking and dangerous driving
- More walking, cycling, and scooting by children and parents
- Reduced congestion and pollution from vehicles waiting with their engines running
What do you think of the trial? Let us know in the comments.
Benefits are expected to include:
- Reduced traffic and congestion
- Cleaning up the air that children breathe
- Improved road safety - including no crossing between dangerously parked cars
- Encourages more sustainable and active forms of travel to schools
- Fewer cars around the school
The schools set to take part in the trial are as follows:
- St Joseph’s Primary School
- Adswood Primary School
- Bradshaw Hall Primary School
- St Mary’s CE Primary School
- St Matthew’s Primary School
- Our Lady’s Primary School
- Cheadle Primary School
- St John’s Primary School
The council is seeking residents’ views on the School Streets proposals in order to help it 'make the right decisions’.
More details can be found on the council’s website, here: https://consultation.stockport.gov.uk/
The consultation runs until March 28.
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