Livingstone Primary celebrates two years of their safer, healthier school street

Pupils, families and staff at a school in Mossley have come together to celebrate the success of an initiative which has created a safer and healthier environment for children.

Livingstone Primary commemorated the second anniversary of their School Street last week, which since its introduction, has significantly reduced traffic outside the school gates during drop-off and pick-up times. This has created a safer start and end to the school day for families walking, wheeling, cycling and scooting to school.

School Streets were created to help communities deal with increasing traffic, safety concerns, and poor air quality outside school gates. By restricting vehicles at the busiest times, they make the area calmer and safer so children can arrive feeling more relaxed and ready to learn.

The reduction in vehicle movements has also improved road safety, giving children more space and confidence as they arrive and leave each day. Staff and stewards reported fewer near misses, less congestion, and a noticeable improvement in how pupils navigate the area.

The scheme has also delivered health benefits by reducing idling vehicles around the school entrance. Parents and teachers have noted that the quieter, traffic‑free environment has encouraged more families to choose active travel which is supporting children’s physical wellbeing.

The anniversary event brought together a range of partners who continue to support School Streets across the borough including Tameside Council, Walk Ride GM and Mums for Lungs.

This comes at the same time that TfGM are launching the Safer Roads campaign to encourage drivers to be safe during the World Cup.

The School Street at Livingstone Primary School has become a valued part of the local community, and the second anniversary celebration highlighted the strong partnership between the school, parents, residents and local organisations - all working together to support healthier, more active travel across Tameside.

Executive Member (Towns, Transport and Connectivity), Councillor Stephen Homer said: “The School Street at Livingstone Primary School has made a remarkable difference to the daily lives of children and families in Mossley. Over the past two years, we’ve seen safer, calmer and cleaner streets outside the school, giving pupils the confidence to walk, cycle and scoot as part of a healthy, active journey. It’s been inspiring to see the whole school community embrace the scheme, and this anniversary is a celebration of what can be achieved when residents, partners and the council work together to create safer, healthier neighbourhoods for everyone.”

Headteacher at Livingstone Primary School, Rebecca Willard said: “The School Street has made the start and end of the school day calmer, safer and cleaner for all the children who attend Livingstone Primary. They are encouraged to come to school in an active and healthy way. It has made a huge difference to the safety of our children and reduced the risks from cars parking and turning outside the school. We would like to see lots more schools implement a School Street scheme.”

Tameside’s School Streets also successfully operates at Russell Scott Primary School in Denton.

TfGM’s goal is for 70% of primary school students in Greater Manchester to walk, wheel, scoot or cycle to and from school by 2030. Creating more School Streets is just one piece of the puzzle to make the journey safer. 

In Greater Manchester, School Streets support the region’s aim to build healthier, more people‑friendly neighbourhoods as part of the Bee Network. Councils across the city‑region are using them to reduce congestion, improve air quality, and create a more welcoming space at the start and end of the school day. They are becoming more common in places like Tameside, and each one is shaped with local communities to support safer, more active journeys to school.

To find out more about School Streets, visit www.tameside.gov.uk/education/tssp