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Leeds City Council is proposing to introduce new measures on streets surrounding two schools in Middleton to improve access to schools and local amenities by making walking, wheeling, and cycling safer and more accessible.<\/p>\n
Elements Primary School and Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy in Middleton are busy schools, with the majority of students living within a 10 minute walking distance. Despite this, they have a higher than average percentage of pupils travelling to school by car in Leeds.<\/p>\n
The streets surrounding the schools suffer from high levels of congestion, driving and parking on pavements during school drop off and pick up times, narrow paths, and lack of safe and convenient crossings making walking, wheeling and cycling feel unsafe. The proposals aim to improve walking, wheeling and cycling routes to school and reduce car dependency on these busy streets.<\/p>\n
The proposals are part of the councils ongoing work to improve road safety and encourage more people to walk, wheel, and cycle.<\/p>\n
The council is inviting pupils, parents, staff, residents and those who travel in the area to share their views on the proposals, which include:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Pavement and path widening to make walking, wheeling, and cycling to school safer and more accessible
\u2022 Minor junction re-alignment and improvements
\u2022 Provision of formal and informal crossing points
\u2022 Provision of bollards to safeguard pavements and enforce existing parking restrictions
\u2022 Improved lighting<\/p>\n
The proposals aim to help build a safe, healthy and attractive environment for people of all ages to walk, wheel and cycle as part of their journey to and from school and align with Leeds City Council\u2019s broader goals of promoting active travel, and supporting Vision Zero, which aims to eliminate road deaths and serious injuries in Leeds by 2040.<\/p>\n
Delivered in partnership with West Yorkshire Combined Authority, \u00a3750,000 funding from Active Travel England\u2019s Active Travel Fund 5 (ATF5) has been awarded to help develop and deliver the scheme.<\/p>\n
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council\u2019s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThe Access to Schools project is a vital step toward creating safer, easier ways for people to choose active travel to and from school.<\/p>\n
\u201cInvestments like this help toward our Vision Zero Strategy of eliminating serious injury and deaths on Leeds roads by 2040 by creating safer walking and cycling links in key areas of the city and improving road safety for everyone.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe urge everyone who uses this route\u2014whether you walk, cycle, drive, or take the bus\u2014to share your views and help shape the future of this area.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Councillor\u00a0Peter Carlill, Deputy chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority\u2019s Transport Committee, said:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cI want as many people as possible to have their say, so we can make it easier for people in Middleton and Halton Moor to get around.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese links will improve walking, wheeling and cycling routes to schools, giving pupils the option to choose safer and more sustainable ways to travel.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will be a part of Weaver network, and is vital for creating a better-connected, greener and healthier West Yorkshire.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Have your say\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
Find out more online and complete a short survey here<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n
Attend the drop-in event on Thursday 5 February, 3-7pm at Middleton Leisure Centre (Gascoigne Suite), Ring Road Middleton, LS10 4AX. See the proposal boards, chat to a member of the team and fill in an online or paper survey.<\/p>\n
Request a paper survey and freepost it back to us. Email or phone us for a paper survey on connectingleeds@leeds.gov.uk<\/strong><\/a> or 0113 336 8868<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
The consulation closes at 11.59pm on Wednesday 18 February.<\/p>\n
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