Over 200 students in Leeds are now enjoying safer, healthier, and more enjoyable journeys to school thanks to the latest additions to the city’s School Streets scheme.
The School Streets initiative transforms the roads outside school gates into pedestrian and cyclist zones during key times such as morning drop-offs and afternoon pick-ups, thereby reducing motorized traffic in these areas. This creates a safer and more pleasant environment for children and families, and helps to alleviate traffic congestion and improve air quality. Fifteen Leeds schools were already participating in this program, and now, Ireland Wood Primary School and St Bartholomew’s Primary School have joined the initiative.
Recently, Ireland Wood Primary celebrated the launch of its own School Street on Raynel Gardens. The event featured Leeds City Council’s new safe and sustainable travel mascot, Arlo the Owl, who was named by students of the school. Arlo led students from a designated Park and Stride location at High Farm car park to the school, crossing the newly established School Street and demonstrating the advantages of a car-free zone around their school.
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development said:
“I’m thrilled to see two more schools joining the School Streets programme in Leeds this year, as it continues to make a significant difference in promoting road safety and sustainability in local communities. With just over 30% of primary school children in Leeds still driven to school, the school run contributes to congestion, pollution, and increased road safety risks around schools.
“School Streets are a key part of our commitment to Vision Zero, the council’s ambition to eliminate serious and fatal road injuries by 2040. By creating safer, vehicle-free spaces, we’re making the journey to school healthier for children and their families. This initiative aligns with our vision of making Leeds a city where you don’t need a car.”
Ian Blackburn, Headteacher at Ireland Wood Primary School said:
“We are really pleased to have a School Street so our pupils can travel safely and actively to and from school. Reducing traffic around school during peak times will help to improve road safety and encourage more families to choose active modes of travel like walking, cycling, wheeling and scooting. This initiative supports us to promote healthy lifestyles and foster independence for our pupils.”
Last year, a notable 28,955 schoolchildren in Leeds took part in 596 sessions designed to encourage safe and sustainable travel, all facilitated by the council’s road safety trainers. Central to the Vision Zero Strategy, which aims to eliminate road deaths, is the emphasis on safe behaviors and people.
This strategy includes four other critical themes: safe roads, safe speeds, post-collision care, and safe vehicles. Achieving Vision Zero requires a collective effort from everyone to adopt safer travel practices.
Community members can commit to this goal by signing a pledge to help eliminate road fatalities www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk
