Purpose

To obtain approval to start an Experimental
Traffic Regulation Order for a trial of a proposed School Street,
subject to consultation.

Content

The Committee
considered a report of the Director of Economy and Place, which
sought approval to commence an Experimental Traffic Regulation
Order for the introduction of a School Street on Victoria Street at
Holy Trinity Primary School, subject to consultation.
 
The Team Leader
Network Improvement and Development was in
attendance to present the information and to address the
questions and the comments of the Committee.
 
The Officer informed
that, in line with aspirations set out from Greater Manchester
Combined Authority Mayor and the Active Travel Commissioner, the GM
region was aiming to transform the school run, putting measures in
place that promote cycling, scooting, walking, and wheeling by
restricting access to motorised vehicles during school start and
finish times.
 
Consultation was
planned in from June 2025 into July 2025 for a four week period, subject to positive feedback it
was the intention of the Highways Service to introduce an
Experimental Traffic Regulation Order which would allow the School
Street to operate on a section of Victoria Street for a 6-18 month
period.
 
If the experimental
scheme was a successes, Elected Members
would have the opportunity to make a future Township decision to
make the scheme permanent – if this key decision was not
taken within the 6-18 month period, the Experimental Traffic
Regulation Order would be removed.
 
 In addition to physical on street measures,
importantly the scheme would fund a behaviour change programme
– this would provide a resource to go into the school during
the trial and influence parents pupils
and other key stakeholders to think about how they travelled and
influence travel patterns. Behaviour change initiatives had
successfully used information, norms, and persuasive appeals to
shift attitudes and intentions towards more active travel.
 
The Committee
attentively considered the information and unanimously endorsed the
principle of the proposal. However, the Committee
raised its concern that the proposed location for the Traffic
Experimental Order could be unsuitable, as it could have a negative
impact on both local residents and businesses by worsening existing
traffic conditions.In particular, the Committee was concerned about
the closing of Victoria street as there
was no provision to manage traffic on the A58 and potential issue
with junctions being over capacity.
 
During the discussion,
members expressed general support for the Experimental Traffic
Regulation Order (TRO) in principle. It was
acknowledged that the proposal aligned with broader
Council’s objectives, but its implementation should remain
responsive to public feedback. If the consultation process did not
result in significant changes to the scheme, there was a shared
view that it would be appropriate for the Head of Township and
Libraries, in consultation with the Chair, Vice-Chair, and relevant
ward councillors, to oversee its progression.
However, should the
consultation highlight the need for substantial revisions, members
agreed that it would be more appropriate for the matter to return
to the Township Committee for further deliberation. This approach ensured transparency and
maintained the Committee’s oversight on decisions that may
significantly affect the local community.

 
Resolved:

That the Experimental
Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) be approved in principle;
That, subject to the
outcome of the public consultation and provided no significant
amendments to the proposed scheme are necessary, delegated
authority be granted to the Head of Township and Libraries, in
consultation with the Chair, Vice-Chair of the Township Committee,
and relevant ward councillors, to approve the implementation of the
Experimental TRO;
That, should the
public consultation indicate the need for substantial changes to
the proposed scheme, the matter be
referred back to the Township Committee for further
consideration and decision.

 
Reason for
decision:
These
resolutions would ensure transparency and maintained the
Committee’s oversight on decisions that may significantly
affect the local community.
 
 
Alternatives considered and rejected:
The proposal could be
brought forward using a standard Traffic Regulation Order
which would be permanent. However, due
to the emerging nature and this being the first School Street in
the Borough, Highways Officers would recommend using an
Experimental Traffic Regulation Order in this instance, to
understand more fully how the School Street would operate in
reality and what kind of objections might be raised.