Traffic banned from outside schools at start and end of day
TRAFFIC will be banned from driving outside two Southport high schools at the start and end of the school day, with a third due to follow.
The School Streets initiative by Sefton Council aims to improve safety for pupils, reduce traffic congestion and encourage more sustainable forms of travel.
The new rules are due to be put into place outside Greenbank High School and Birkdale High School, while discussions will continue over Stanley High School.
It would mean that vehicles will be banned from entering Hastings Road and Windy Harbour Road in the new Pedestrian and Cycle Zones between 8.15am and 9.15am and then 2.30pm to 3.30pm Monday to Friday.
Permit holders would be exempted. The Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders, if endorsed by councillors, would continue until the end of the pilot scheme or 18 months, whichever is sooner.
In his report, Sefton Council Assistant Director of Place (Highways and Public Protection) Peter Moore said: “The Southport School Street and School Neighbourhood Pilot comprising Greenbank High School, Birkdale High School and Stanley High School has been the subject of intensive work with pupils and staff along with consultation with the wider school community and key stakeholders.
“The next steps for each school include the creation of two School Streets at Birkdale High School and Greenbank High School and further engagement around the School Neighbourhood Project at Stanley High School.
“Sefton Council has declared a Climate Emergency, and has a responsibility to tackle some of the greatest challenges facing our community such as poor air quality, sedentary physical behaviour, poverty and cost of living crisis.
“Tackling the journey to school by making the 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 mode shift (change to walking and cycling from being driven in a car).”
Peter Moore revealed that the scheme is an important method of reducing people’s reliance on cars for shorter journeys.
He said: “School Streets schemes are a small step into the future as research shows that young people are driving less than previous generations and fewer young adults hold a full driving licence.
“There are a number of reasons behind this trend including growing cost pressures eg from housing cost, tendency to start a family later in life, positive experiences of using active travel options in UK cities, and beliefs about climate change.
“The transport sector makes the largest contribution to carbon emissions and is the single largest contributor to climate change nationally.
“Research shows that two thirds of all journeys undertaken in the Liverpool City Region are less than 5km yet half of these short journeys are made by car.
“The school run is a key contributor to this and encouraging mode shift from private car to walking / wheeling, cycling and use of public transport will help to contribute to our net zero target and reduce pollutants in our air, and benefit the health of our community, whilst offering travel options for everyone.
“Between 3pm and 4pm (the evening school run peak) a total of 29% of trips by car were related to the school run.
“Reducing the percentage of escort trips by car to school by creating an improved local environment and strengthening walking and cycling links by a combination of implementing School Streets and improved walking / wheeling and cycling routes, will entice mode shift.
“This modal shift will consequently improve the smooth running of the road network, reduce congestion, improve air quality and reduce our overall transport related carbon emissions.
“Furthermore, the provision of safe spaces and routes to schools could unlock the ability to live a car free lifestyle or indeed reduce the household financial burden associated with multiple car ownership.”