Two schools in Southport have this week become the first in Sefton to trial a brand new active travel scheme, which bans cars from the immediate streets outside.
The School Streets pilot, which encourages alternative and healthier ways of commuting, launched yesterday (Monday 3rd July 2023|) at Greenbank High School, on Hastings Road in Birkdale, and at Birkdale High School on Windy Harbour Road in Birkdale today (Tuesday, 4th July 2023).
It has been created in partnership with high school pupils, teachers, Sefton Council and Sustrans, the UK charity that helps more people walk, wheel and cycle.
As the scheme aims to reduce the number of car journeys and frustrating congestion an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order has seen roads outside both schools closed off to most vehicles during the start and end of a school day.
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Sefton Council has been writing to parents, guardians, residents and stakeholders to confirm the launch of the pilot scheme.
The School Streets pilot has been rolled out following detailed discussions and thorough consultation with pupils, staff and parents at both Greenbank and Birkdale High School, as well as residents living nearby.
Cllr John Fairclough, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Locality Services welcomed the pilot test scheme, saying:
“We are trialling the implementation of two Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders, which sees both Windy Harbour Road and Hastings Road closed to most vehicles at the start and end of the school day during term time.
“Exemption Permits will be issued to residents, school staff and blue badge holders, staff and visitors of Hillside Golf Club.
“Sefton Council has declared a Climate Emergency, and as a borough we all have a responsibility to tackle some of the greatest challenges such as poor air quality, sedentary physical behaviour, petrol poverty and the cost of living crisis.
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“Tackling the journey to school by making roads and streets safer and more inviting to walk and cycle will allow more pupils to explore their journey to school in other ways.
“Creating a safe space directly outside the front of the school is the first step in the challenge to encourage a wider uptake in the levels of walking and cycling journeys.”
Cllr Fairclough went on to say that while the scheme actively encourages pupils to walk, cycle or take public transport to and from school, there is a recognition that some families may still need to use a car. He said:
“We know that some pupils may still need to be dropped off and picked up in a car so we would strongly recommend parking at the very least 5 minutes walking distance away from school to start and finish each day in a healthy way, so walking becomes part of a daily journey.
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“It has been an immensely positive experience to see the pupils finding their voice and coming up with solutions like the School Streets pilot that will have a positive impact on the environment around where they study.
“Not only is this better for the environment but will add to pupil safety too. We encourage everyone to support the pilot and help make our communities brighter, healthier and better places to live.”
Emily Cave, Sustrans’ school streets officer for Sefton said:
“I’m very excited to be working in partnership with the council, in Birkdale and Greenbank High Schools on this project. We’re working to create a safer, healthier environment for children to walk, wheel or cycle their school commute. Through this project, we will encourage students to be more confident in changing their travel habits with interactive workshops, which we hope will promote independent travel and reduce their reliance on being dropped off and picked up.”
For more information about the pilot please visit www.sefton.gov.uk/southportschoolstreets.
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