The Willows Primary School Street

Overview

The purpose of a School Street is to create a safer, healthier and more pleasant environment outside the school gates by reducing danger to children from vehicles, improving air quality and encouraging active travel to school.

When the school street is operational at the start and end of the school day, the road becomes a temporary walking, wheeling and cycling zone in line with the Walking, Wheeling and Cycling Strategy.

The proposal is to trial a School Street on Victoria Road (outside The Willows Primary up to the junction with Alexander Drive) and is summarised as follows:

Between the hours of 8.15-9.15am and 2.45-3.45pm on school days that part of Victoria Road would become a temporary pedestrian and cycling zone.

Access would still be maintained for residents and businesses within the closure zone, valid blue badge holders, pedestrians, and cyclists. Emergency vehicles would also always have access.

The Willows Primary School is being considered for a School Street because of the ongoing risks to children’s safety that have resulted in multiple near misses occurring on the road outside the school. School Streets are widespread in London and other UK cities, where they have been shown to increase walking and cycling and reduce traffic, and are being implemented across Greater Manchester. There are currently five School Streets in Trafford.

Why your views matter

Whatever your views about School Streets, as a parent, resident, business, or driver, we would like to hear your views. Your views are important to us and will help the Council make a decision.

What happens next

We will be holding two one-day trial events on

Wednesday 18^th June (8.15 – 9.15am and 2.45 – 3.45pm)

Wednesday 25^th June  (8.15 – 9.15am and 2.45 – 3.45pm)

We will also be holding drop-in sessions to discuss the proposals and listen to feedback:

Thursday 19^th June, online Zoom consultation, 7 – 7.30pm

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/91670315585?pwd=LOYG3msCsfAPJfZ46Zbc5ctSMOJaWM.1

Meeting ID: 916 7031 5585

Passcode: 5kqzLt

Thursday 26^th June, The Willows Primary School, 3.30 – 4pm
Any feedback will be collated and will help us reach a decision on whether we proceed with the School Street. Should the Council agree to proceed with these proposals, all affected properties will receive a letter to inform them of the start date.

Volunteers

The School Street scheme relies on volunteers to start with. If you support the aims of the School Street and are able to, please consider volunteering. Volunteers work in pairs to put out the closure barriers on the road, escort exempt vehicles through the School Street and help re-direct drivers. Training, equipment and support will be provided. Volunteers on a School Street often find this to be a very rewarding role in which they can immediately see the difference they are making to children’s lives. If you would like to volunteer or to find out more about volunteering on the School Street please contact Hannah Stanton (School Streets Officer for Trafford) at hannah@traffordcollective.org.uk / 07535 319 333.