Latest news with #ExperimentalTrafficRegulationOrder
Leader Live
28-05-2025
- Leader Live
Wrexham: Holt School to trial plans to make travel safer
Wrexham Council, in partnership with Sustrans Cymru and Letman Associates, will soon be launching a three-week trial at Holt Community Primary School. The trial will see timed traffic restrictions introduced to limit the number of vehicles driving and parking near the school at the start of the day, and at home-time. This will be the first 'School Streets' scheme in Wrexham, and it's being funded by the Welsh Government's Safe Routes in Communities fund. Councillor Terry Evans, Wrexham Council's Lead Member with responsibility for road safety, said: 'Over the past few months, we've been listening to pupils, parents and residents' about how we can improve the journey to school. 'Key concerns include speeding, inadequate pedestrian crossings, narrow pavements, poor visibility at junctions, and inconsiderate parking. 'The school is already working hard to reduce traffic at the gates by encouraging walking, scooting and cycling – so it's the perfect place to pilot a School Streets scheme.' MOST READ: Dad describes how joy turned to terror and panic at Liverpool victory parade Girl of the Year hopefuls strike a pose in photo look back Man who had 'large kitchen knife' in public among those sentenced in court Councillor Phil, Wynn, Lead Member for education added: 'We want to make the school gates a safer and healthier place for children, and if the pilot is a success, it could pave the way for similar trials at other primary schools in Wrexham. 'Over the past couple of years, School Streets have been introduced in other parts of the UK with some success. 'Traffic restrictions only come into effect during key times of the day, so any disruption to motorists is minimised, and the children are safer.' The exact dates of the trial in Holt are yet to be confirmed, but an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order will be published, and local residents, parents and pupils are being kept informed.
Glasgow Times
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- Glasgow Times
Ban from driving around four East Dunbartonshire schools
East Dunbartonshire Council said four education hubs in the area will now permanently be 'traffic-free' zones. It follows the implementation of a successful pilot scheme that aimed to increase child and pedestrian safety. READ MORE: Pair rushed to hospital after incident involving 'car and bus' in Glasgow Councillors agreed to make the Traffic-Free Schools initiative permanent at Clober Primary School in Milngavie, Craighead Primary School in Milton of Campsie and the shared St Matthew's and Wester Cleddens Primary School campus in Bishopbriggs. They made the decision after hearing about the impact the scheme has had on improving road safety and the surrounding environment outside the schools. Ban from driving around four East Dunbartonshire schools (Image: Supplied) The 'Traffic-Free Schools' is an initiative where driving is prohibited on sections of road immediately outside the entrance to schools, for a short period at the start and end of the school day. It aims to improve safety by reducing the volume of vehicles parked and moving around at the busiest areas for children and adults accessing the school. READ MORE: Pictures show motor badly damaged after 'crashing into Glasgow bus' The local authority said the pilot scheme, which began in November 2023, prohibited driving on selected roads adjacent to the schools between 8.30am and 9.15am and 2.30pm and 3.15pm on Mondays to Fridays during term time via an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO). During the pilot, 'detailed monitoring' was carried out with traffic counts, parking surveys, and Q&AS with parents, carers, school staff, and local residents. According to the council, the monitoring revealed that the volume of vehicle traffic significantly reduced at all three locations in the morning and afternoon, with reductions of up to 76% counted at Clober Primary School in the morning. Meanwhile, the number of parents and carers stopping and parking directly outside the school entrances also saw a large decrease, with reductions of up to 78% and 79% recorded in the morning at Craighead Primary School and at the shared restricted zone at St. Matthew's Primary School and Wester Cleddens Primary School, respectively. READ MORE: Detectives hunting for red motor after incident on street Councillor Ferretti said, 'The Council is committed to improving road safety and the surrounding environment outside schools for pupils, carers and neighbouring residents, and the Traffic-Free Schools project has transformed the journeys to school for so many of our pupils. 'The project has helped make it more attractive for walking, wheeling and cycling, thereby encouraging more journeys to be made in this way. 'As well as creating a calmer environment at the school gate and making roads safer, it has also helped to reduce the pollution that would previously have been breathed in by our young people on the way to school. 'The pilot was well-supported by parents, carers and local residents, with three-quarters of those who responded to our survey supporting the pilot restrictions being made permanent. 'A fifth of all parents and carers also said they had changed their main mode of travel, with 66% of this group saying they walk more to and from school, with 45% using the car less since the project has been in place, which is very positive news. 'Council officers will now begin work to select three additional schools to participate in Phase 2 of the project, which will be brought back to the Place Neighbourhood & Corporate Assets Committee for consideration.' A spokesperson for East Dunbartonshire Council added: "Since the project has been in place, a higher proportion of parents/carers, school staff and local residents felt that the roads around the schools were safe or very safe, and were a good environment for active travel, with traffic levels which were about right, while also being less likely to have concerns about traffic speeds, air quality and noise levels around the schools." Meanwhile, Catriona Marshall, Head Teacher at Clobber Primary School, revealed she was pleased with the results of the project. She said: 'There are obvious health and mental wellbeing benefits for children who walk, cycle or scoot to school, but the scheme has also created a safer environment for the children around the school as the volume of vehicle traffic has significantly reduced. 'Many parents and pupils have told me how much of a difference the lack of traffic around the school has made. "The journey to and from school is now more pleasant for everyone.' Access will be maintained at all times for permit holders (including residents and local businesses), blue-badge holders and permitted vehicles, including: Emergency workers, health visitors and carers. School buses and contract taxis. Postal and delivery vehicles. Utility company vehicles serving properties in the area. Council vehicles such as bin lorries. Vehicles to be used in connection with wedding and funeral operations. The council spokesperson added: "Anyone violating these restrictions will be committing an offence and eligible for a £50 fixed fine from Police Scotland, who will be responsible for enforcing the scheme. "Existing parking restrictions remain unaffected, while residents and local businesses automatically received one vehicle permit per property with the option to apply for more, free of charge."
BBC News
25-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Everton new stadium parking zone suspension backed by business owners
Business owners have welcomed Liverpool City Council's decision to suspend controversial parking restrictions near Everton's new Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (Etro), including heavy restrictions on street parking, was introduced earlier this year within a half-hour walking radius of the Bramley-Moore Dock Monday, the council agreed to pause the restrictions until August in areas where businesses have been most heavily Blair, who owns the Hot Water Comedy Club, led a petition against the restrictions. He said that while businesses welcomed the council's decision, they were still feeling the impact of the seven weeks the rules have been in place. 'Nobody knew about it' "They've obviously seen an impact in sales and customers," said Mr Blair, who also owns Blackstock Market."There's been loads of concern about it moving forward, especially if they started to implement it every day in August, which is a huge concern."Hopefully there will be a proper economic impact assessment done and we're listened to before changes are made."The council said it had received more than 5,000 responses as part of a public owners in the streets around the stadium said they were very worried about the council's initial plans to enforce traffic restrictions all year round, rather than only on matchdays. Some even claimed the rules could force them out of Blair said more than 200 companies had been affected by the restrictions and complained about what he regarded as a lack of communication. "Nobody knew about it," he said."These businesses operate every day. We have staff every day. We have about 5,000 customers a week and they were literally impacted straight away."It's just lack of foresight, lack of any economic impact assessment." Fraser Smith, managing director of the Downland bedding company which is based about 30 minutes from the stadium, said the council's concessions were "fantastic news on face value".But he sounded a note of caution."It is only a temporary measure - we'll have to see what happens in August. But for now it's good news for all the businesses that are affected by this."Mr Blair said he was pleased with the way the local community had come together over the last few said he was hopeful that now there is an open line of communication with the council, any future changes will be discussed and agreed with residents and businesses before they council's cabinet member for transport and connectivity, Dan Barrington, said the restrictions were part of an "experimental traffic order" so changes could be made once it was live."It's given us this space to be able to listen to concerns from people, particularly as it went live, and we've taken that into consideration," he said."We really want to get the best situation for everyone in the area," added Barrington."It's complex and complicated - the whole reason we did this as an experimental traffic order was because we knew ultimately there would need to be tweaks and changes."Everton will leave Goodison Park at the end of the season in May before kicking off life at Bramley-Moore Dock in August. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
24-03-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Everton stadium parking zone plans on hold after controversy
A controversial raft of parking restrictions around Everton's new football stadium has been suspended after complaints from business owners. An Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) had been imposed within a half-hour walking radius around the stadium at Bramley Moore dock - including heavy restrictions for on-street parking. Business owners in the streets around the stadium said they were astonished to learn the restrictions would apply all year round - not just on match days - and some claimed they would cause them to go Monday, Liverpool City Council said the restrictions were being paused until August in the areas where businesses would be most affected. The council said the temporary postponement would take effect along the city's waterfront from its northern end by Canada Dock down to the Leeds Street area of the city centre boundary, and eastwards across to the Pumpfields district. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram, and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
