OLYMPIAN OPENS SHEFFIELD ‘SCHOOL STREET’

Published 22 June 2023 at 12:00pm

Children and parents are making the most of safely walking and wheeling to and from primary schools in Sheffield thanks to active travel zones at school gates.

South Yorkshire Active Travel Commissioner and triple Olympic champion, Ed Clancy OBE, joined Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Colin Ross, to open one of the city’s first official ‘School Streets’, making journeys easier, safer and healthier for pupils. 

 School day road closures during drop off and pick up times were made permanent outside Greystones Primary School on Tullibardine Road following a trial period.  

It is one of seven permanent School Street schemes introduced by Sheffield City Council to reduce congestion and improve air quality around school gates. Five trial schemes are also underway. 

South Yorkshire Active Travel Commissioner, Ed Clancy, said: “Some of my happiest memories, growing up, are of the fun, freedom and independence I got from cycling to school or with my friends. That was a long time ago and I’ve since been on my own sporting journey. Now it’s my priority to make active travel the first choice for everyday trips in South Yorkshire.  

 “It’s clear to see the positive action teachers, guardians and volunteers are taking at schools across the region, to create safe environments with fewer cars, is giving parents and children the freedom to choose active travel. I’ll be using my platform to introduce more School Streets, cycle lanes, footpaths and crossings that make our roads safer and our journeys healthier and happier. 

“Because I’m convinced that having that fair chance to make a different choice is at the heart of creating healthier and more sustainable communities. Not just today, but for many years to come.” 

It comes as pupils, parents and teachers are cycling, scooting and walking to schools across the city as part of a ten-day Active Travel Challenge with ModeShift.  

The Commissioner and Lord Mayor also took part in a special active travel assembly at Lowedges Junior Academy, and will hear how Intake Primary Academy is demonstrating action taken by the school to improve road safety.  

Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Colin Ross, said: “I was delighted to meet children at Lowedges Junior Academy and speak with their pupil-led active travel team to learn more about what they are doing to encourage walking and cycling to school. It was also fantastic to see how Greystones Primary’s School Street has improved road safety for children and families in the area and learn more about how the scheme could benefit the rest of the city.” 

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority plans to develop further School Street schemes in partnership with local councils, schools and communities. It forms part of the region’s Active Travel plan for over 1000km of walking and cycling routes, 800m of safe crossings and 230 square km of low traffic neighbourhoods by 2040. 

ENDS 

Notes to editors

Department for Transport statistics show that 46% of children aged 5 to 16 walked or cycled to school in 2022: Gov.uk/government/collections/cycling-and-walking.   

School Street schemes are unique to the community and the needs of the school. They can include a traffic regulation order and related signage. Volunteer marshals highlight the schemes. Residents and businesses access School Streets with a valid permit. Blue badge holders and emergency service vehicles also maintain access. For more information about School Streets in Sheffield visit: Sheffield.gov.uk/roads-pavements/school-street-closures    

Modeshift STARS encourages schools across the country to join in a major effort to increase levels of sustainable and active travel: modeshiftstars.org.  

South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership, comprising SYMCA, South Yorkshire local authorities, emergency services and public sector organisations, has signed up to Vision Zero – an international ambition to end all death and serious injury on our roads: Sysrp.co.uk.