Schools in Congleton to provide road safety education

Pupils in Congleton will soon be taking part in a new road safety educational programme, thanks to police and crime commissioner for Cheshire David Keane.

Congleton Education Community Partnership have been successful in tits application for funding from the Commissioner’s Community Police Fund.

Marlfields Primary Academy, Saint Mary’s RC Primary School and the Quinta Primary School will all receive a road safety role play kit to help educate young people and improve their understanding of how to stay safe.

The kits will include a zebra crossing mat and beacons, high-visibility vests, cones and a number of different roads signs. The signs all imitate road signs which are often seen on the roads surrounding schools.

The kit is used to educate young people on how to identify safe places to cross and to be aware of the dangers. Ensuring young people take an active role in the awareness sessions will encourage young people to remember the important messages.

The schools are becoming increasingly concerned about road safety surrounding the school grounds. Alongside the road safety sessions for young people, they are working hard to ensure parents and guardians are aware of the dangers they create when parking inconsiderately. 

The dedicated PCSO for Congleton West community policing ward, Ben Hooper, will deliver the sessions alongside the teachers.  Ben worked with the schools in the partnership to develop and submit the application for funding.

PCC David Keane said: “Road safety and keeping our young people safe is a big priority for us all.  Schools are busy places especially during drop-off and pick-up times with high volumes of traffic.

“Parents and guardians often don’t realise how their parking impacts on others and the reduced visibility it gives to young people trying to cross the road safely.

“This projects are a great example of how I wanted my new Community Police Fund to work.  It’s about identifying the local need and working together to achieve the greatest impact.”

The Community Police Fund links directly to the recently launched initiative to increase police visibility in every community by providing a dedicated Police Constable (PC) and Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) for all 122 areas. 

The fund has been developed using money seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act (PoCA) 2002 and looks to reinvest it back into communities.

Pictured - PCC David on a roads safety operation with Cheshire Police.