Oldham’s second School Street scheme is going live.
The borough’s first School Street was launched at St Anne’s Primary School, Royton.
Since then, it has proved a success and has received the backing of staff, parents, pupils as well as the former Paralympic Gold medallist Dame Sarah Storey OBE, the Active Travel Commissioner for Greater Manchester.
From September 25 the latest scheme will start at Christ Church C of E Primary School, Crawley Way, Chadderton.
Councillor Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “It’s good to see the borough’s second School Streets scheme is going live.
“We launched the first one back in June and I’ve seen for myself how successful it is.
“Any scheme that cuts problem parking and encourages parents to leave their cars at home should be welcomed, doing that whilst also reducing pollution and congestion is a win-win.
“We’re determined to make travel to and from school safer and healthier.”
Currently 52 per cent of pupils walk to school it is hoped that figure will increase once the scheme gets started.
We are continuing to work with other primaries, with more schemes set to pop up over the coming months.
School Streets enable children and their parents to walk, cycle or wheel to and from school, which reduces air pollution, congestion, and problem parking.
To ensure School Streets work properly, certain roads around the schools will be opened to people walking, cycling or wheeling (eg scooters) only. School streets are in operation at drop off and pick up, during term times.
Only those with a permit, including residents and businesses, will be able to get access. The restriction won’t apply to emergency vehicles, blue badge holders or essential deliveries.
Those dropping off or picking up pupils will not be able to drive into the closed streets, but can still park further away from school, if they need to, and walk the last part of the journey.
Getting to and from school in this way can help parents and children to feel fitter and healthier as well as being able to chat along the way.
An Experimental Traffic Regulation Order is in place for the new measures and there will be opportunities over the coming months for residents, businesses, parents and the schools to give their feedback on the schemes and how they are working.
Before the Christ Church scheme goes live the council, via the schools, are inviting parents, nearby residents and businesses to a drop-in event so they can find out more information. An online session has also been arranged for those who cannot attend in person. Email active.travel@oldham.gov.uk for more information and the event link.
Letters have also been sent to properties on the affected roads.
The council secured funding of almost £85,000 from Transport for Greater Manchester and the Department for Transport to pay for the introduction of the schemes.
If you would like to find out more about School Streets visit the website www.oldham.gov.uk/school-streets or if you think your child’s school would benefit from one, email active.travel@oldham.gov.uk