Stockport council officers are proposing an experimental traffic regulation order (ETRO) on Half Moon Lane in Offerton to allow for a School Streets scheme to be introduced. This would affect St Phillip’s Catholic Primary and Dial Park Primary on the road.
A School Streets scheme is a national programme that introduces temporary vehicle restrictions on roads near schools to create a safer environment at drop-off and pick-up times. They can be enforced through numberplate recognition cameras and can involve the entire road being shut off.
Funding and permits
After the schools wanted to be included in the scheme, funding was awarded by Transport for Greater Manchester. The matter will need to be approached by Stockport Council’s area committee for Stepping Hill. Those living on the closed road area would be issued with permits allowing them to still access their properties. This would also be extended to all blue badge holders, emergency vehicles, healthcare workers, and utility companies.
The experimental order, if approved, will be able to last up to 18 months and give the council the ability to experiment with different ways of enforcing the scheme before it is made permanent. Feedback will also be sought over the first six months.
Public feedback and safety concerns
Of the 74 people who provided feedback, 50 per cent supported the idea while 45.95 per cent opposed it. The rest were neutral or undecided. A number of safety concerns had been raised about the current situation including 'dangerous' and 'anti-social' parking by parents on double yellow lines and dropped kerbs, along with complaints of congestion on the roads by the school. There were also complaints of speeding, anti-social behaviour, and near misses.
People in support felt it would make it 'easier and safer for children to cross the road' and the scheme 'may reduce number of near misses caused by school traffic'. It would also 'potentially reduce inconsiderate parking' which people said impacts both parents and those living on the road. Nearly 24pc of people also reported they had been affected by a road incident outside either of the schools, though there have only been two recorded accidents in the area.
Those opposed to the scheme were concerned about access to their homes, impacts on deliveries, and the 'lack of access to [St Philip's Catholic] church car park will make congestion worse in the area'. There were also worries about time pressures for parents, access to allotments, enforcement, and elderly residents being able to get to appointments.
