PUPILS, families and staff at a Mossley primary school have celebrated two years of a scheme which has turned the area outside its gates into a safer and calmer space.
Livingstone Primary and Nursery School has marked the second anniversary of its School Street, with the initiative helping to reduce traffic during the busiest drop-off and pick-up times.
The scheme restricts vehicles around the Vale Side school entrance at key times, creating a safer environment for children and families who walk, wheel, cycle or scoot to school.
Since its introduction, staff and stewards have reported fewer near misses, less congestion and a noticeable improvement in how pupils move around the area at the start and end of the school day.
Families and teachers have also highlighted the wider benefits, including cleaner air from fewer idling vehicles and more children choosing active ways to travel.
The anniversary event brought together the school community alongside partners including Tameside Council, Transport for Greater Manchester, Walk Ride GM and Mums for Lungs to celebrate the impact of the project.
Mossley councillor Stephen Homer, Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Towns, Transport and Connectivity, said: “The School Street at Livingstone Primary School has made a remarkable difference to the daily lives of children and families in Mossley.
“Over the past two years, we’ve seen safer, calmer and cleaner streets outside the school, giving pupils the confidence to walk, cycle and scoot as part of a healthy, active journey.
“It’s been inspiring to see the whole school community embrace the scheme, and this anniversary is a celebration of what can be achieved when residents, partners and the council work together to create safer, healthier neighbourhoods for everyone.”
Headteacher Rebecca Willard said the scheme had made a “huge difference” to pupils and families.
She said: “The School Street has made the start and end of the school day calmer, safer and cleaner for all the children who attend Livingstone Primary. They are encouraged to come to school in an active and healthy way.
“It has made a huge difference to the safety of our children and reduced the risks from cars parking and turning outside the school. We would like to see lots more schools implement a School Street scheme.”
Livingstone Primary is one of two schools in Tameside currently operating a School Street, alongside Russell Scott Primary School in Denton.
The schemes form part of wider efforts across Greater Manchester to encourage more children to walk, wheel, scoot or cycle to school, with a regional target of 70 per cent of primary school journeys being made actively by 2030.
The projects also support the wider Bee Network ambitions for healthier, more people-friendly neighbourhoods by improving road safety, reducing congestion and creating more welcoming spaces around schools.