Cars will soon be banned from driving outside eight primary schools in Oldham at the start and end of each school day.

Roads surrounding eight schools in the borough are set to be closed to all traffic during pick-up and drop-off times as part of the School Streets initiative being trialed by Oldham Council.

The initiative aims to make roads safer for pupils, reduce traffic and parking pressures outside schools, cut air pollution, and encourage families to walk and cycle.

 

The eight schools taking part in the initiative are:

 

• St Edwards, Lees

• Hey with Zion, Lees

• St Anne’s, Royton

• Northmoor Academy, Coldhurst

• Christ Church, Chadderton

• Corpus Christi, Chadderton

• Stanley Road, Chadderton

• St Luke’s, Chadderton

Residents, emergency services, and blue badge holders will still be allowed access to the roads but households and businesses within the area will require a permit.

Signage, one-way systems, parking restrictions, bollards, road humps, and changes to corners and gullies are set to be installed as part of the initiative.

An Experimental Traffic Regulation Order is in place for the new measures and there will be opportunities over the coming months for residents, businesses, parents, and the schools to give their feedback.

Residents and businesses near to the roads affected have been informed by letter about the details of the schemes.

A photograph of a letter sent to residents who live near St Luke’s CE Primary School that outlines the School Street plan has been shared on the Facebook page Oldham Neighbourhood Watch.

The letter states that Queens Road (between Buckley Street and Albion Street), Albion Street, and Halbury Gardens will be closed to motor vehicles between the hours of 8.15am and 9.15am and 2.45pm to 3.45 pm for six months from Monday, February 20.

A one-way system along Queens Road up to Buckley Street and Buckley Street up to its junction with George Street is also being introduced, and a 20 mph speed limit along Queens Road, Albion Street, Buckley Street, George Street, St Lukes Court and St James Street.

Commenting on the initiative, leader of Oldham Council Amanda Chadderton said: “Traffic congestion and problem parking are issues at schools across the country, not just in Oldham.

“On top of that idling vehicles pollute the air that our young people breathe.

“School Streets help to reduce parking issues, queuing traffic, and air quality issues at the school gates, while improving road safety for children and their families.

“Our aim is to also encourage active travel - getting people into the routine of walking and cycling from a young age will stay with them for years.”

The council secured funding from Transport for Greater Manchester and the Department for Transport to pay for the introduction of the schemes which have been drawn up following consultation with the schools.