“I think it's been fantastic, the children walk to school on their own now and I'm much more confident in their safety on the street.”
– Parent of Year 5 & 6 children
A School Street is a section of road outside a school that is closed to motor traffic during school drop-off and pick-up times, except for access by residents and other exempt vehicles. This creates an almost traffic-free zone, reducing noise and air pollution outside the school gate and making the area safer for walking, wheeling and cycling.
Manley Park School Street covers the part of College Road in front of Manley Park Primary School, between its junctions with Upper Chorlton Road and Park Drive.
Organised by Walk Ride Whalley Range, it has been going since January 2023.
The road is legally closed by a Traffic Regulation Order and signage, and volunteer marshals – school parents and other local residents - enforce it with barriers as often as they can.
School staff comment that children are much more relaxed and ready to learn on school street days.
Manchester City Council is committed to using traffic camera in future. These use Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to enforce School Streets in the future.
Until then, Walk Ride Whalley Range volunteers make sure the School Street is closed to traffic every school day.
If you are a parent at the school and would like to volunteer, or to find out more about the School Street, contact Walk Ride Whalley Range at whalleyrange@walkridegm.org.uk
You do not have to volunteer for fixed days or even every week. We welcome any parent who might be able to
help; anything from one morning or afternoon per term upwards!
What the school street means to children and parents