SEFTON Council has been continuing its School Street and Neighbourhood projects during Road Safety Week last week with local Sefton schools. The work has a key focus on Road Safety in the short winter days.

During Road Safety Week, Sefton Council in partnership with Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (formerly Sustrans), has been holding ‘Road Safety Walks’ and assemblies in schools. Through the walks, pupils explore safer route options and demonstrate safe places to cross the road.

The assemblies focus on an awareness of road safety, making sure children understand the importance of being bright and seen in the dark. Especially during short winter days. All the schools that took part took home a reflective key ring to attach to their bag.

In the last year, 4 schools and 3 community groups in Bootle have worked alongside Sefton Council and The Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (formerly Sustrans) on a ‘North Park School Neighbourhood Project’. The project is designed to improve school journeys.

As part of the School Neighbourhood Project, the Council’s Active Travel Officer worked with Year 5 pupils at All Saints Catholic Primary School to ‘journey map’. This gives pupils a chance go out into the wider area to identify popular ways to travel to school and discuss road safety.

Going out of the classroom and into the streets gives the young people a chance to put their knowledge of road safety into practice in a real-life setting. They then shared their ideas on safety and accessibility improvements.

The ‘North Park Neighbourhood Project’ has provided an exciting opportunity for young people to explore issues in their local school area. It has also given them the chance to share their ideas and work with the Council to produce a prioritised list of potential improvements to support walking, wheeling and cycling in their local area.

This list focuses on improving accessibility, safety and the local environment for the school community. The project is now in its final stages and is identifying funding opportunities and next steps to deliver the pupil’s ideas.

Cllr Diane Roscoe, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families said:- “The School Neighbourhood Project is such a great way to work with the local community and directly involve young people in making their journey better and safer. They are the ones who make these journeys travelling to school and from school every day. They know the streets best and their ideas for improvements are informed and invaluable.”

Cllr Daren Veidman, Cabinet Member for Housing and Highways said:- “The improvements won’t just benefit the children going to their local schools but will benefit anyone who uses those streets. These projects help make local journeys nicer for everyone.”