Two new School Streets launched in Leeds to support children travelling safely and sustainably on the school run

Greater than 200 pupils in Leeds have develop into the newest native kids to profit from a scheme that makes journeys to and from college safer, more healthy and extra pleasurable. 

Faculty Streets create a safer and extra nice surroundings for kids and households by proscribing motorised visitors and turning the area exterior college gates right into a pedestrian and cyclist-only zone throughout pick-up and drop-off occasions. 

A complete of 15 faculties in Leeds have beforehand signed as much as the scheme, which goals to ease visitors congestion and sort out poor air high quality whereas additionally enhancing security.  

Now two extra – Eire Wooden Major and St Bartholomew’s Major – have adopted swimsuit. 

And final week, a celebration occasion was held at Eire Wooden Major Faculty to mark the introduction of its new Faculty Road on Raynel Gardens. 

Leeds Metropolis Council’s new protected and sustainable journey mascot, Arlo the Owl, named by pupils from the varsity, guided pupils from the Park and Stride location at Excessive Farm automobile park, throughout the brand new Faculty Road, showcasing the advantages of a vehicle-free surroundings.  

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds Metropolis Council’s deputy chief and govt member for economic system, transport and sustainable growth, mentioned: 

“I’m thrilled to see two extra faculties becoming a member of the Faculty Streets programme in Leeds this 12 months, because it continues to make a major distinction in selling highway security and sustainability in native communities. With simply over 30%  of main college youngsters in Leeds nonetheless pushed to highschool, the varsity run contributes to congestion, air pollution, and elevated highway security dangers round faculties. 

“Faculty Streets are a key a part of our dedication to Imaginative and prescient Zero, the council’s ambition to eradicate severe and deadly highway accidents by 2040. By creating safer, vehicle-free areas, we’re making the journey to highschool more healthy for kids and their households. This initiative aligns with our imaginative and prescient of constructing Leeds a metropolis the place you don’t want a automobile.” 

Ian Blackburn, Headteacher at Eire Wooden Major Faculty, mentioned: 

“We’re actually happy to have a Faculty Road so our pupils can journey safely and actively to and from college. 

“Lowering visitors round college throughout peak occasions will assist to enhance highway security and encourage extra households to decide on lively modes of journey like strolling, biking, wheeling and scooting. This initiative helps us to advertise wholesome existence and foster independence for our pupils.”  

Final 12 months, 28,955 college youngsters throughout Leeds participated in 596 periods that the council’s highway security trainers delivered to advertise protected and sustainable journey.  

Protected behaviours and individuals are on the coronary heart of the Imaginative and prescient Zero Technique and is one in all 5 key themes. The opposite themes are protected roads, protected speeds, submit collision care and protected automobiles. To attain Imaginative and prescient Zero everybody must play their half and journey safely. A pledge to play a component in eliminating highway deaths may be signed right here.