Bolton pupils get safer ways to travel to school

Pupils at Kearsley West Primary School have helped assess the streets around their school and taken cycling lessons as part of efforts to make journeys on foot, by bike or with wheels safer and easier. The school has become the first in the Bolton area to receive Modeshift STAR accreditation for promoting active and sustainable travel.

Bikeability lessons and pupil street assessments

The school introduced Level One and Level Two Bikeability classes to teach practical cycling skills and help children understand how to ride confidently and safely on roads. Pupils also took part in an Active Travel Inspection, identifying what they liked about nearby streets and routes and where improvements could be made.

Their observations were shared with the school and Bolton Council to help inform possible neighbourhood improvements. The source does not specify which changes, if any, are planned following the inspection.

School Streets limit traffic at busy times

Kearsley West is one of four Bolton primary schools to introduce School Streets projects this year. On school days, access to some nearby streets is controlled during drop-off and pick-up times, reducing the number of cars on those roads and making it easier for families to walk, cycle or wheel to school.

Bolton Council says recent surveys found feedback on the projects was overwhelmingly positive, with respondents citing improved safety for children, less congestion and easier road crossing. The council also says almost three-quarters of road accidents involving children happen in the morning and afternoon.

Headteacher Jackie Fitton accepted the Modeshift STAR award from Mayor of Bolton Cllr Mohammed Iqbal, alongside councillors and the council’s executive member for health and wellbeing, Cllr Jackie Schofield. Schofield said active school journeys can help children build a lasting habit of being physically active.

Source: Bolton Council News