Children and adults alike took part in a celebration event at Urmston Primary School on Friday to mark the one year anniversary of the School Streets programme.
Funded by Transport for Greater Manchester, the School Streets programme in Urmston involves road closures on Newton Road, Hereford Grove and Wycliffe Road around school drop-off and pick-up times, to make journeys to school safer, the air cleaner, and encourage families to get to school via walking, cycling or wheeling where possible.
In Urmston, the School Streets programme is made possible by volunteers, many of whom are parents of children at the surrounding schools and nurseries as well as residents and local Councillors, who close the roads each school day. Friday’s event celebrated this work, and the positive impact it has had on families in the area. Over the 34 week academic year, volunteers have contributed over 1,120 hours of their time to make this possible.
Visitors from Urmston Primary School, Urmston Grammar School, English Martyrs’ Primary School and Tiny Feet Nursery were able to access free bike maintenance, as well as take part in fun activities like a pedal-powered jukebox bike and the opportunity to ‘bling’ a bike, scooter or backpack.
Representatives from the Trafford Libraries team were also in attendance, promoting the Summer Reading Challenge for children in the borough, and offering a chance to build new creations from Lego.
Simon Parker, Headteacher at Urmston Primary School, said of the scheme:
“Before School Streets, we were having problems with dangerous driving and idling, which of course is not good for the environment. We actually measured air quality in term time versus during the summer holidays, and the difference was marked. Now it’s so much calmer and the vast majority of families seem happier. I’m really glad we have adopted the School Streets programme – thanks to the volunteers who help make this possible!”
One of the volunteers who help operate School Streets added:
“It’s now much calmer in the mornings around the school. An unexpected benefit of the scheme has been getting to know your neighbours and other parents at the school, as there is a real sense of camaraderie around the scheme now. People have changed their habits, and it should be normalised to prioritise children’s on the roads around school. I’m really proud to have helped to make School Streets a success for the past year.”
Cllr Aidan Williams, Executive Member for Climate Change at Trafford Council, added:
“It was fantastic to see so many people out to celebrate School Streets in Urmston. We used the opportunity to gain feedback about the scheme, which was really positive from both parents and children. Our Walking, Cycling and Wheeling Strategy promises direct action to help enable more journeys to be made without a car, and this is a great example of how we are delivering this for the people of Urmston.”
Would you like to volunteer to help with a School Streets scheme near you? Trafford Council are always looking for new volunteers to help forge the programme in local communities. Email Hannah Stanton at hannah@traffordcollective.org.uk to find out more.