Over the past couple of weeks, Year 5 and 6 pupils have attended welcome events in St Helens Town Hall after taking on the role as Junior Road Safety Officers.
Organised by St Helens Borough Council’s Road Safety team, the initiative has been running for a number of years to give primary pupils an active role in road safety education, providing information and ideas to hold school assemblies and competitions to promote road safety in and around their schools and wider community.
Meanwhile, in a bid to address problem parking close to the school gates, Carr Mill Primary School is taking part in the School Streets scheme which looks to make streets safer and healthier for children walking, cycling or scooting to school by reducing traffic and lowering air pollution.
At the start and finish of the school day, a section of the road has been closed near the main entrance, preventing vehicles from parking up on a grass verge and blocking pedestrian access.
Commenting on how much a difference the scheme – which is being supported by the council’s Road Safety Team – is making already, one parent, Sam Carruthers, said:
“Shutting this part off makes the road safer and It’s better for the field which has become a little damaged from all the tyre marks. It’s a narrow path as it is, so the fact cars can no longer park there and block the way makes life easier for someone like myself with mobility issues.
“I walk past here twice a day and now don’t have to worry about kids getting knocked over.”
Praising pupils for their dedication, Councillor Andy Bowden, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said:
“It was a pleasure to meet the new Junior Road Safety Officers who I would like to thank for stepping up to take on this duty which will not only keep children in their own schools safe – but also others in the community.
“Their enthusiasm and dedication will assist them in delivering important road safety messages throughout the school year which we as a council are on hand to encourage and support.
“As for the recent rollout of School Streets at Carr Mill Primary School, I’m pleased to see this has made such a massive improvement in a short space of time, with the scheme well received from pupils, parents and staff alike.
“The safety of our children is a clear priority of ours – that’s why we’re working with our schools, parents, headteachers and the pupils themselves to make schools a safer place to be.”