Residents of area set for school streets scheme pessimistic

Earlier this month, Oldham Council revealed it had held both online and in person workshops with parents of students at Hey with Zion Primary School and St Edwards RC Primary School, which are both based on Rowland Way in Lees, as well as residents of the surrounding area.

Residents have previously called for an end to the "out of control" parking situation, with parents driving their cars on the cul-de-sac to drop off and collect their kids.

This has led to tensions which the council are now trying to address with the scheme, which will begin at the start of the next school year in September.

However, some residents are not optimistic about the pilot getting going.

Residents are upset by parking on their street at pick-up and drop-off times (Image: Jack Fifield, Newsquest)

One resident, who preferred not to be named, said that residents have heard the same things before.

She said: "It's been deferred and deferred, we were told January and then May and now we're hoping for September.

"They are saying the same things they said at the first meeting, which was several years ago."

The woman, who has lived in the area for roughly 20 years, said she was "rather pessimistic" and that she had not found anyone who was optimistic about the scheme actually getting underway.

She added that she chose not to be named because she claimed a neighbour of hers had been threatened with having her car damaged due to tensions surrounding parking at peak times.

Some residents have taken to chaining their driveways to stop people using them to reverse (Image: Jack Fifield, Newsquest)

Another elderly resident, who asked to remain anonymous due to illness, echoed the sentiment of the first woman, saying "It's been said before".

She added that the traffic was "terrible" around pick-up and drop-off times and that "trying to get out at those times is absolutely shocking".

However, she said she did have some optimism, commenting: "I'm hoping all the things that have been suggested do happen."

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According to a letter from the council that residents received, they can obtain exemptions, allowing them to drive through the area with their vehicles.

The first woman pointed out that other people such as carers will need these exemptions too, but the letter had made no mention of that.

Oldham Council has confirmed that carers will be provided with exemptions as long as they prove they provide care on a regular basis.

Many cars parked at a peak time, with a footpath blocked (Image: Jack Fifield, Newsquest)

Cllr Chris Goodwin, Cabinet member for Don’t Trash Oldham, said: “Traffic issues and irresponsible parking have been problems around these two schools for years.

“The safety of pupils has been put at risk, and that should not happen. Lots of initiatives have been tried but the problems are still happening.

“That’s why we are now introducing a school streets scheme – to make the streets safer for children walking to school and to help out the long-suffering neighbours.

“We know a school street won’t be popular with everyone but we’ve come up with the scheme after talking and listening to people living near the school and the staff. Similar schemes we’ve introduced across the borough are proving popular.

“We’ll continue to keep people informed of our plans and once the scheme is in place we’ll monitor how it is working.”

Both Hey with Zion Primary School and St Edward's RC Primary School were approached for comment.