Sharples Primary and The Gates Primary are the latest Bolton schools to launch School Streets, restricting traffic at the school gates during the busiest drop-off and pick-up times. Sharples Primary on Hugh Lupus Street will begin operating its scheme on Monday 8 June, with The Gates Primary on Bristle Hall Way following on Tuesday 16 June. Both schools held trials earlier this year and feedback from parents, residents and children reached up to 90 per cent positive, with many pointing to safer conditions and a less chaotic atmosphere at school opening time.
At Sharples Primary, vehicle access along Hugh Lupus Street will be controlled on weekday mornings between 8:30am and 9am during term time only. The Gates Primary faces restrictions both in the morning from 8:30am to 9am and again in the afternoon from 3pm to 3:30pm. Residents, workers, school staff and emergency responders will still be able to get through, with school staff and trained volunteers managing the barriers to let necessary vehicles pass.
Almost three-quarters of road accidents involving children happen between 8am and 9am and from 3pm to 7pm, making the school run the riskiest part of the day for young people. The schemes are part of a wider effort across Greater Manchester, where more than 50 School Streets are now in place. London has over 700. Bolton Council‘s Executive Member for Children’s Services, Cllr Rabiya Jiva, said it is never too early for children to enjoy being active and that getting to and from school under their own steam is a fun way to do it, adding that School Streets help keep youngsters safe along the way.
By restricting through traffic at key times, the scheme aims to make walking, cycling or scooting to school a more attractive and realistic option for families. The council says the positive trial feedback highlighted improved child safety and a calmer environment at the school gates. With Sharples Primary and The Gates Primary joining the network, Bolton continues to expand a model that is fast becoming a feature of the region’s approach to safer, healthier school journeys.
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