Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

The report provides an overview of the current road safety provision in and around the educational facilities in Stockport. It gives information about the current road safety training provision in schools and a review of the current issues faced in terms of road safety around education sites in peak periods. The report also considers the potential for the introduction of further provision in regard to road safety in and around educational facilities and the resource implications of expanding these areas of work to develop a comprehensive approach to road safety around schools.

Schools Forum is invited to comment on the report.

Officer Contacts: Sue Stevenson/Nick Whelan on 0161 474 4351/4907 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk/nick.whelan@stockport.gov.uk.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview of the current road safety provision in and around educational facilities in Stockport.

The following comments were/ issues raised:-

·         An audit of the area around each primary school in the borough had been scheduled to identify opportunities to develop safety interventions within approximately 300m of the schools.

·         The interventions would be done as part of a prioritised programme ordered in terms of incidents.

·         The number of penalty tickets issued for parking on school ‘keep clear zig zag lines’ had increased significantly due to the Council being able to issue postal tickets.

·         Concerns were raised about speeding outside of schools and it was reported that Greater Manchester Police would undertake traffic enforcement if speeding was reported to them.

·         Planning officers were aware of the need to gain contributions from housing developers to mitigate traffic measures associated with a new development.

·         There had been issues of parents parking on the main road outside St Paul’s due to the development of a site which had previously been used for parking.

·         A number of headteachers present were not aware of the Council’s ‘Operation Eagle Eye’ and more information was sought.

·         It was acknowledged that secondary schools had their own issues around road safety, but that the review would initially prioritise primary schools.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to circulate the schedule of schools to be audited to headteachers, to allow the lower priority schools to make interim arrangements.

(3) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to circulate further information about ‘Operation Eagle Eye’.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

The report is to provide an overview of the current Road Safety provision in and around the educational facilities in Stockport.  It provides information about the current road safety training provision in the schools and a review of the current issues faced in terms of road safety around education sites in peak periods.  The report also considers the potential for the introduction of further provision in regards to Road Safety in and around educational facilities and the resource implications of expanding these areas of work to develop a comprehensive approach to road safety around schools.

The Area Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson and Nick Whelan on 474 4351/ 474 4907 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk/ nick.whelan@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview of the current Road Safety provision in and around the educational facilities in Stockport.  The report detailed the current road safety training provision in the schools and a review of the current issues faced in terms of road safety around education sites in peak periods.

The report also considered the potential for the introduction of further provision in regards to Road Safety in and around educational facilities and the resource implications of expanding these areas of work to develop a comprehensive approach to road safety around schools.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         There needed to be more robust enforcement of parking restrictions outside schools to deter repeat offenders.  Consideration should be given to the use of enforcement cameras to achieve this.

·         The difficulty in recruiting people to school patrol posts was recognised.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

 This report is to provide an overview of the current Road Safety provision in and around the educational facilities in Stockport. It gives information about the current road safety training provision in the schools and a review of the current issues faced in terms of road safety around education sites in peak periods. The report also considered the potential for the introduction of further provision in regards to Road Safety in and around educational facilities and the resource implications of expanding these areas of work to develop a comprehensive approach to road safety around schools.

The report will be considered by the Children & Young People’s Scrutiny Committee on 2 November 2016.

The Area Committee is invited to comment on the report and identify any local issues or priorities.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson, Nick Whelan on Tel 0161-474-4351 / 4907 or email sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk / nick.whelan@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview of the current road safety provision in and around educational facilities and providing information about the current road safety training provision in schools and a review of the current issues faced in terms of road safety around education sites at peak periods.

The report had been by the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee at its meeting held on 2 November 2016.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

•           Problems occurred on Northgate Road, outside Larkhill Primary School, where motorists’ visibility was poor. A request was made for the need for a school crossing patrol to be re-examined outside that school.

•           A request was made that schools be reminded that there was no charge at York Street car park at school ‘pick up’ and ‘drop off’ times.

•           A number of problems had occurred at nursery schools where children were ‘dropped off’ at 7.30am, travel plans did not appear to being used and some parents parked on the pavements.

•           The education of children and their parents on road safety matters was important.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

This report is to provide an overview of the current Road Safety provision in and around the educational facilities in Stockport. It gives information about the current road safety training provision in the schools and a review of the current issues faced in terms of road safety around education sites in peak periods. The report also considered the potential for the introduction of further provision in regards to Road Safety in and around educational facilities and the resource implications of expanding these areas of work to develop a comprehensive approach to road safety around schools.

The report will be considered by the Children & Young People’s Scrutiny Committee on 2 November 2016.

The Area Committee is invited to comment on the report and identify any local issues or priorities.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson, Nick Whelan on Tel 0161-474-4351 / 4907 or email sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk / nick.whelan@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview of the current road safety provision in and around educational facilities and providing information review of current issues in respect to road safety around educational facilities at peak traffic times.

Councillors identified a number of schools in the Marple Area Committee area that suffered from severe road safety and parking issues including Rose Hill Primary School, Brabyns Prep School and Ludworth Primary – although there were many others. There was general agreement that educating parents on the need to act responsibly when dropping off and picking up their children was extremely important and that enforcement/preventative measures implements would only work if Head Teachers and School Governors were consulted.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

 This report is to provide an overview of the current Road Safety provision in and around the educational facilities in Stockport. It gives information about the current road safety training provision in the schools and a review of the current issues faced in terms of road safety around education sites in peak periods. The report also considered the potential for the introduction of further provision in regards to Road Safety in and around educational facilities and the resource implications of expanding these areas of work to develop a comprehensive approach to road safety around schools.

The report will be considered by the Children & Young People’s Scrutiny Committee on 2 November 2016.

The Area Committee is invited to comment on the report and identify any local issues or priorities.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson, Nick Whelan on Tel 0161-474-4351 / 4907 or email sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk / nick.whelan@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview of the current road safety provision in and around educational facilities and providing information about the current road safety training provision in schools and a review of the current issues faced in terms of road safety around education sites at peak periods.

The report had been by the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee at its meeting held on 2 November 2016.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

•           The recent opening of the new Oak Tree Primary School in Cheadle Hulme had highlighted the need for better co-ordination between various departments of the Council in the road safety measures which would be required in the vicinity of a school after it was opened.

•           Alternative methods of advertising for school crossing patrol wardens should be considered, for example by placing advertisements on lamp posts.

•           A Member felt that it would be a better strategy to concentrate on particular schools and particular areas than try and visit every school once every half term promoting road safety.

•           Parents needed to change their behaviour in terms of ‘dropping off’ and ‘picking up’ their children in the vicinity of schools.

•           Schools could be advised about School Travel Plans and the best practice available, but the Council did not have the staff resources to impose a system on schools.

•           The Council sought to install traffic calming where it had imposed 20mph speed limits, wherever possible.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

This report is to provide an overview of the current Road Safety provision in and around the educational facilities in Stockport. It gives information about the current road safety training provision in the schools and a review of the current issues faced in terms of road safety around education sites in peak periods. The report also considered the potential for the introduction of further provision in regards to Road Safety in and around educational facilities and the resource implications of expanding these areas of work to develop a comprehensive approach to road safety around schools.

The report will be considered by the Children & Young People’s Scrutiny Committee on 2 November 2016.

The Area Committee is invited to comment on the report and identify any local issues or priorities.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson, Nick Whelan, 0161-474-4351 / 4907, sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk / nick.whelan@stockport.gov.uk

Sue Stevenson (Interim Head of Highways and Transportation, Stockport Council) attended the meeting to providing an overview of the current Road Safety provision in and around the educational facilities in Stockport.  A report was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) that detailed the current road safety training provision in the schools and a review of the current issues faced in terms of road safety around education sites in peak periods.

The report also considered the potential for the introduction of further provision and the resource implications of expanding these areas of work to develop a comprehensive approach to road safety around schools.

The views of the Area Committee were sought, particularly in relation to schools within the area committee area.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The expansion of Warren Wood School had been accompanied by an unacceptable delay in developing and implementing further safety measures. This delay needed to be avoided in any future school expansion plans.

·         The report made a lot of reference to pupils, but the majority of complaints were caused by the poor driving and parking by parents.

·         Speed calming measures near schools, such as Moorfield Primary, often did not address inconsiderate and selfish parking. A formal crossing point was also needed at this location.

·         There was a lack of enforcement of parking and speeding restrictions.

·         Schools being expanded were often in locations not designed for the volume of vehicles that would seek to access them. There were often inadequate facilities for pick-up and drop-off, and for staff parking.

·         Concerns were expressed about the accuracy of the figures relating to accidents involving children on a journey to school as it was believed these were higher than recorded.

·         In response to a query about the cause of the increase in the number of tickets issued for parking on zig zag lines, it was stated that this was due to the additional focus and priority given to enforcement, including changing work patterns to be better able to deploy resources when they were needed.

RESOLVED – (1) That Sue Stevenson be thanked for her attendance and presentation.

(2) That the comments of the Area Committee be considered as part of the development of the proposals to improve road safety near schools.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

The report is to provide an overview of the current Road Safety provision in and around the educational facilities in Stockport.  It provides information about the current road safety training provision in the schools and a review of the current issues faced in terms of road safety around education sites in peak periods.  The report also considers the potential for the introduction of further provision in regards to Road Safety in and around educational facilities and the resource implications of expanding these areas of work to develop a comprehensive approach to road safety around schools.

The Area Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson and Nick Whelan on 474 4351/ 474 4907 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk/ nick.whelan@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview of the current Road Safety provision in and around the educational facilities in Stockport.  The report detailed the current road safety training provision in the schools and a review of the current issues faced in terms of road safety around education sites in peak periods. 

The report also considered the potential for the introduction of further provision in regards to Road Safety in and around educational facilities and the resource implications of expanding these areas of work to develop a comprehensive approach to road safety around schools.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

This report is to provide an overview of the current Road Safety provision in and around the educational facilities in Stockport. It gives information about the current road safety training provision in the schools and a review of the current issues faced in terms of road safety around education sites in peak periods. The report also considered the potential for the introduction of further provision in regards to Road Safety in and around educational facilities and the resource implications of expanding these areas of work to develop a comprehensive approach to road safety around schools.

The report will be considered by the Children & Young People’s Scrutiny Committee on 2 November 2016.

The Area Committee is invited to comment on the report and identify any local issues or priorities.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson, Nick Whelan on Tel 0161-474-4351 / 4907 or email sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk / nick.whelan@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview of the current road safety provision in and around education establishments in the borough.

Councillors welcomed the opportunity to comment on the report. A number of schools were identified as a particular concern including Tithe Barn Primary School and St Mary’s CE Primary School in Reddish. Councillor Colin Foster reported that he would respond directly to the Corporate Director in respect to the schools in his ward but that excellent work and initiatives were being undertaken at Cale Green Primary School and that lessons could be learnt and rolled out to the other schools. Councillors discussed the importance of enforcement and deterrents but also educating parents on the dangers they create when parking illegally.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and comments referred to the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration for consideration.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration

The report provides an overview of the current road safety provision in and around the educational facilities in Stockport. It gives information about the current road safety training provision in schools and a review of the current issues faced in terms of road safety around education sites in peak periods. The report also considers the potential for the introduction of further provision in regard to road safety in and around educational facilities and the resource implications of expanding these areas of work to develop a comprehensive approach to road safety around schools.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report and request that a review of the existing situation is undertaken and a report is produced identifying a comprehensive approach to congestion around schools incorporating educational activities, physical infrastructure improvements and enforcement.

Officer Contacts: Sue Stevenson/Nick Whelan on 0161 474 4351/4907 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk/nick.whelan@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview of the current road safety provision in and around educational facilities in Stockport.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• An audit of the area around schools to identify opportunities to develop a prioritised programme of interventions, including physical interventions within approximately 300m of schools was to be undertaken.
• Councillors noted that congestion around educational fascilities  was a focus of concerns for residents and a range of community groups - a range of strategies has been implemented tp alleviate these problems over the years.
• The use of more sustainable means of travel to school also aids in efforts to reduce obesity levels by encouraging greater activity levels amongst children and young people
• Councillors discussed the timing for consideration of Traffic Regulation Orders in conjunction with school expansion. Lessons needed to be learned from past mistakes whereby orders were implemented long after developments had been completed, resulting in significant traffic problems in the intervening period. Councillors noted that this issues had been discussed at the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee and it was further suggested that this be referred to the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration for consideration.
• The recruitment of School Crossing Patrol operatives and current vacancy levels was discussed including the use of Camera Cars as a preventative measure.
• Concern was expressed that should there be an increased demand on ward delegated to fund features such as yellow lining or bollards - then the budgets allocated to Area Committees should be proportionate to the number of schools in each ward. Councillors asked that this information be included in the updated report in the new year.
• Educating and Communicating with parents was integral to any programme for enhancing school safety in schools – Head Teachers and School Governing Bodies were fundamental to this objective.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted