A Manchester primary school is among the first to benefit from an investment into road safety in efforts to better keep pupils safe.
Alma Park Primary School in Levenshulme, has welcomed an introduction of double yellow lines near the school for children and parents on the school run to avoid the dangers posed by unauthorised parked cars as well as cars travelling in and out of the area.
The school is the first to have the major new road safety measures installed as part of Manchester-wide project funding from Clean, Green, Safer, Investment Programme.
The £15 million investment project, which will be carried out over three years, will improve factors such as local roads, green spaces and replacing all litter bins.
Around £2.2 million of the investment will be exclusively used to continue improving road safety for children and parents. Whether they choose to walk, cycle or ride into school they can be assured that active travel in their communities will be supported by becoming cleaner, greener and safer.
Some areas will also get new double yellow lines, while others will see new bee-adorned bollards, guard rails outside busy schools and speed bumps all with the aim of fostering a safe environment for everyone.
The investment back into local communities is a wider push in recognising Manchester as a Child Friendly City where children feel safe to walk, wheel or cycle to school.
Following the double yellow lines being installed, Alma Park Primary School has seen a significant reduction in anti-social parking outside the school. Children and parents have reported feeling more confident in travelling to and from the school, now knowing they can comfortably be in the area without the dangers of unwarranted cars.
Richard Williams (pictured far left), headteacher at Alma Park Primary School, said: “As a result of the double yellow lines more children can now more safely and confidently cycle, scoot or walk to school without the obstruction of parked cars on Errwood Road.
“We hope to see a reduction in air pollution around the school and I am very pleased to see the real-life benefit of the Council’s investment taking shape. We hope this will continue to encourage our community to embrace active travel.”
Councillor Tracy Rawlins (pictured) said: “I am thrilled to see the installation of double yellow lines outside Alma Park Primary School and how it has already had an impressive impact on the safety of children and parents during the school run.
“This initiative, part of our Clean, Green, Safer Investment Programme, aims to improve general safety across the city and foster better community relations as we stem the flow of traffic and make areas feel safer for everyone. It’s great to see how this is also encouraging residents to actively walk or cycle to school.
“I look forward to seeing the continuation of this project and how we can instil confidence in other school communities in Manchester.”