Is picking up or dropping off your child a nightmare in Congleton? It could be about to change, thanks to a proposal partially by a Congleton councillor.

Cars could be banned from driving on roads outside some schools at drop-off and pick-up times if a proposal put forward by two councillors gets the go-ahead.

The policy would apply to all primary and secondary schools in Macclesfield, and across Cheshire East. 

'Safer school streets' have already been introduced in some parts of the country to provide a safer environment and enable children to walk and cycle to school safely.

A safer school street is a road outside a school with a temporary restriction on motorised traffic at school drop-off and pick-up times. The restriction applies to school traffic and through traffic.

Now Cheshire East councillors Suzie Akers Smith (Congleton West, Ind) and Lata Anderson (Wilmslow Dean Row, Ind) have put forward a notice of motion to tomorrow's (Wednesday) full meeting of the council, calling on the authority to create a process to allow a safer school street to be created where schools support it.

In the report on the council's agenda, the two councillors state: "Many towns and villages across the borough have asked for a safer school street. It is a big change but is necessary if we want to bring in the benefits to children."

Their report continues: "The result is a safer, healthier and more pleasant environment for everyone. School street schemes offer a proactive solution for school communities to tackle air pollution, poor health and road danger reduction.

"A school street scheme will encourage a healthier lifestyle and active travel to school for families and lead to a better environment for everyone."

Congleton's Suzie Akers Smith is also Cheshire East's Walking and Cycling Champion. And this policy could encourage Active Travel. (Image - Cheshire East Council)

When asked by the Local Democracy Reporting Service about the implications for local residents and motorists, Cllr Akers Smith said the main issue would arise where there was only one access to the school if the road was closed and there was a housing or business development on the other side of the school.

"I think the way round that would be, you could still close the street and restrict access between say 8.30am and 9am and between 3pm and 3.30pm, but if someone's a resident and they need access to their property they'll be let through, but they would have to travel really slow.

"It's the speed of vehicles that create the danger, so if they're travelling really slow it isn't an issue for the children to cross the road because they can just stop."

She said Birmingham had introduced a number of safer school streets.

The Congleton West Independent Group Councillor pictured outside Congleton Town Hall. (Image - Belinda Ryan)

"So if they can do it, we can certainly do it here," said Cllr Akers Smith, who is the council's cycling and walking champion.

"So what I'm looking for is a proposal that supports the school to close the road for half an hour at the beginning and end of each school day and if there's only one access into the development for traffic to be allowed through, albeit very slowly."

The matter has been referred to the Highways and Transport Committee, ahead of a decision.

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