Car ban push near Leeds schools as council moves to make streets safer for children - full list
Education chiefs are planning to introduce new measures on streets around some Leeds schools to encourage parents to ditch their cars.
Plans to improve access to schools in Middleton and Halton Moor are being proposed including widening pavements, re-aligning and improving junctions, adding informal crossing points and enforcing parking restrictions.
It comes as council chiefs say a majority of students live within a ten minute walking distance of Elements Primary School, in Middleton, and Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School and College, in Halton Moor, but they have a higher than average percentage of pupils travelling to school by car.
The streets surrounding the schools suffer from high levels of congestion, driving and parking on pavements during school drop off and pick up times, narrow paths, and lack of safe and convenient crossings making walking, wheeling and cycling feel unsafe.
The proposals aim to improve walking, wheeling and cycling routes to schools and reduce car dependency on these busy streets.
The schools included are:
• Elements Primary School, Middleton;
• Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy, Middleton;
• Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School and College, Halton Moor;
• Corpus Christi Catholic College, Halton Moor;
• Temple Learning Academy, Halton Moor; and
• Meadowfield Primary School, Halton Moor.
Parents, staff and residents are being invited to share their views on the plans.
Coun Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said: “The Access to Schools project is a vital step toward creating safer, easier ways for people to choose active travel to and from school.
“Investments like this help toward our Vision Zero Strategy of eliminating serious injury and deaths on Leeds roads by 2040 by creating safer walking and cycling links in key areas of the city and improving road safety for everyone.
“We urge everyone who uses this route—whether you walk, cycle, drive, or take the bus—to share your views and help shape the future of this area.”
Coun Peter Carlill, Deputy chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee, said: "I want as many people as possible to have their say, so we can make it easier for people in Middleton and Halton Moor to get around.
“These links will improve walking, wheeling and cycling routes to schools, giving pupils the option to choose safer and more sustainable ways to travel.
“This will be a part of Weaver network, and is vital for creating a better-connected, greener and healthier West Yorkshire.”
Submissions need to be made before 11.59am on Wednesday, February 18.
There is a short survey as well as a number of drop in events:
* Tuesday, February 3, 3pm-7pm: Starlight Dance Academy (Studio 2), 41 Rookwood Road, Osmondthorpe, LS9 0NJ
* Wednesday, February 11, 3pm-7pm at Corpus Christi Catholic Club (Function Room), Halton Moor Avenue, Halton Moor, LS9 0HBMiddleton:
* Thursday, February 5, 3pm-7pm at Middleton Leisure Centre (Gascoigne Suite), Ring Road Middleton, LS10 4AX3.