Victoria Park Infant School Street Proposal

Overview

What is a School Street?

 The purpose of a school street is to create a safer and healthier environment outside the school gates by reducing road danger, improving air quality and encouraging active travel.

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

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

 Aims

By temporarily closing the road to motor vehicles at the start and end of the school day we aim to help

•            Create a safer environment outside the school gates for children, families and residents

•            Improve the air quality in and around the school by reducing pollution from traffic and vehicles waiting with their engines running

•            Make it easier for families to choose walking, scooting and cycling to school to improve health and wellbeing

•            Reduce anti-social behaviour from inconsiderate parking and dangerous manoeuvres

Why your views matter

What is the proposal for the School Street?

The proposal is to trial a school street at both entrances to the school, as shown on the enclosed plan, and is summarised as follows:

Between the hours of 8.45-9.15am and 2.45-3.15pm on school days the road would become a temporary pedestrian and cycling zone.

Residents and businesses whose property is within the closure zone and holders of a valid blue badge would still be able to maintain access.

All vehicles that are already in the zone during operational hours will be able to exit the zone.

Please see the documents attached below for more details, including how to give your feedback at our in-person consultation.

What happens next

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

Tuesday 9^th January 2024 in the Community Room at Victoria Park Infants School, 9.10-10.15am

Thursday 11^th January 2024 at Stretford Library, 5.30-6.30pm

We will also be holding a series of one day trial events on

Monday 8^th January 2024 – Henshaw Street ONLY

Wednesday 10^th January 2024 – Howard Street ONLY

Thursday 18^th January 2024 – BOTH Howard Street and Henshaw Street

Any feedback will be collated and will help us reach a decision on whether we proceed with one or both school streets. 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 and cannot operate without sufficient volunteers. 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 drivers understand where they can park. Volunteering can be for a regular slot or here and there when you have time. Training, equipment and support will be provided. 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

More Information

For more information on our school street program including FAQ’s, please visit https://www.trafford.gov.uk/residents/transport-and-streets/road-safety/School-Streets.aspx

If you need assistance responding, you can email traffordtraffic@amey.co.uk  or call 0161 694 8970

Due to the high number of consultation forms expected, it may not be possible to provide an individual response, however we will consider your comments to help us reach a decision on the proposals.