Manley Park (College Road) School Street

Our School Street started in January 2023. It covers the part of College Road in front of the school, between its junctions with Upper Chorlton Road and Park Drive. Walk Ride Greater Manchester made this video about the School Street in 2024:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIVYs0YdBiQ

What is a School Street?

A School Street is a section of road outside a school that is closed to motor traffic during school drop-off and pick-up times, except for access by residents and other exempt vehicles. It is created through a legal Traffic Regulation Order, and it can be enforced by camera, by physical barriers operated by marshals, or by the police.

The School Street creates a low-traffic (almost traffic-free) zone, reducing noise and air pollution outside the school gate and making the area safer for walking, wheeling and cycling.

A School Street does not ban driving to school; it means that parents have to park their vehicle away from the school gate and walk the last part of their journey.

When is College Road closed?

On school days, the road is closed between:

Morning: 8.15-9.00am

Afternoon: 2.45-3.30pm

The School Street does not operate at weekends or during school holidays.

The times of operation are shown on the signs at each end of the School Street.

 

Who is allowed to drive into the School Street?

This table shows who will be allowed to drive into the School Street:

Permitted	Not permitted
Residents	Through traffic (except emergency vehicles  and funeral corteges)
Emergency services
Utilities and waste collection
Royal Mail vehicles
Taxis dropping off or picking up from properties in the School Street	Visitors to residents or the school (unless they have a Blue Badge)
Deliveries and tradespeople for properties  in the School Street
Care/health workers visiting residents
School families and staff with disabilities	Any other parents or school staff

 

What about bikes?

Bikes (including e-bikes) and mobility vehicles are allowed through the school street. E-motorbikes (with an engine and throttle) are not.

 

How is the School Street enforced?

Most of the time, volunteer marshals (parents and local residents) enforce the closure with temporary barriers, which they move to let residents and other exempt vehicles in and out. 

At other times, there is no physical restriction on driving in the School Street. Greater Manchester Police are present on some days to make sure that drivers are complying with the legal closure.

Manchester City Council is committed to using ANPR cameras to enforce the School Street in the future. 

 

How can I help? 

Everyone wants children to be safe and healthy while travelling to school, and everyone can do something to help:

Become a volunteer marshal – help to enforce the School Street by volunteering when you can – whether it’s twice a week or once a term. Shifts are 45 minutes long and training is given. Email whalleyrange@walkridegm.org.uk to find out more.

Walk or wheel if you can – it’s good for children’s learning, health and independence https://brightkidz.co.uk/support/parents/why-walk-to-school/

Park and stride – if you have to drive, stop a bit further from the school and let your child walk the rest of the way – either with you, or independently. 

Be considerate – whether close to school or further away, park on the road rather than the pavement, and turn your engine off while you are waiting.

Make your voice heard – what is stopping you from walking or wheeling, and what would help you to start? Would you like to see the School Street enforced by cameras instead of relying on volunteers? Tell the school and your local Councillors, Mayor and MP – they might be able to do something about it.