Four Bolton schools are to trial School Streets that aim to allow children to walk, cycle or wheel to school in safety.
Almost three-quarters of road accidents involving children happen between 8am and 9am and 3pm and 7pm, making travelling to and from school the most dangerous time of day.
Plus, children love getting to and from school under their own steam.
With almost half of primary school children and a quarter of secondary school children driven to school, School Streets have also been shown to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.
Almost 50 schools across Greater Manchester already have School Streets in place and London has over 700.
The first step is to hold a one-day trial so that the council and schools can assess how well School Streets would work.
On the trial days, traffic access on some roads around the schools will be managed for short periods in the morning and afternoon, with the aim of making the roads safer for children.
However, access will still be allowed for residents, workers, school staff, carers and emergency vehicles.
School staff and trained volunteers will be at the road closures to ensure that the necessary vehicles can pass.
After each trial day, a survey will allow people to comment on the benefits and challenges of a potential School Street.
The schools will also talk to the children to see what they thought.
The schools taking part in School Streets trial days with details of streets to have controlled access are:
|
Kearsley West Nursery and Primary School |
Tuesday 10th March |
Primrose Street |
3:00 - 3:45pm |
|
Sharples Primary School and Nursery |
Wednesday 11th March |
Hugh Lupus Street |
08:30 - 08:50am |
|
The Gates Primary School and Nursery |
Tuesday 17th March |
Bristle Hall Way |
08:30 - 09:00am |
|
St. Bedes Academy |
Thursday 19th March |
Back Morris Green Lane and Hurst Street |
08:30 - 09:00am |
A spokesperson for Bolton Council said:
“School Streets have been successfully adopted from Scotland to Birmingham and London.
“Much of Greater Manchester is already seeing the benefits in terms of improved safety, reduced traffic congestion and better air quality, and we are keen that Bolton does not miss out.
“Trial days are a vital first step so that we can assess how well School Streets work for schools, parents and nearby residents.”
For more information about the School Streets project in Bolton and to feedback on the trial days, people should visit: www.bolton.gov.uk/road-safety/school-streets