As families across Liverpool prepare for the start of a new academic year, Liverpool City Council is encouraging parents and carers to take a little extra time to plan their school journeys and help keep children safe on the city’s roads.
The return to school is a busy period for households, with parents juggling everything from buying new stationery and uniforms to replacing worn-out school shoes. But amid the excitement and preparation for the new term, road safety can sometimes be overlooked.
This year, with a number of highways improvement schemes taking place across Liverpool, the Council is reminding people to check their routes before setting off and allow extra time for their journeys.
Reminders of the major ongoing road closures are below. The work taking place on Speke Hall Road is now complete, with Queens Drive due to finish in the coming days.
Walton Breck Road
Three phases of work along Walton Breck Road are being carried out one after another to prevent repeated disruption for people living in the area. These started in May and will be completed by March next year.
The third and final phase of works is currently being carried out. This includes upgraded pedestrian crossings, enhanced bus stop facilities and resurfaced roads and footpaths.
To allow teams to carry out the work, closures will be in place on:
- Walton Breck Road (one-way closure) with travel permitted heading from Kemp Avenue to Robson Street
- Back Rockfield Road
- Gilman Street (starting on Wednesday 16 September)
Some bus services will be affected, including:
- Service 27
- Services 68, 68A and 68B
- Services 17, 17A and 17X
Wavertree High Street
Works are currently ongoing to improve pedestrian safety and traffic flow in this area will continue throughout the rest of the year.
A new pedestrian crossing is now being installed on the junction between Picton Road and Wellington Road. To allow this to be completed safely, a series of diversions and temporary traffic signals will be in place until mid-October.
- Wellington Road will be closed to vehicles near the junction with Picton Road.
- Diversions will be in place to assist people in avoiding the area.
- Rathbone Road and Picton High Street will have a three-way traffic system in place.
- Bus services will be impacted, including:
- Service 619 (PM)
- Service 204
- Service 60
For full details of any bus changes, please visit www.merseytravel.gov.uk
People can see a live map of all current road works across the city via the Council website.
Guidance for all road users
People travelling through or near any current road works are advised to allow additional time for their journeys. Higher traffic levels may impact people walking, wheeling or cycling to school too.
When walking near construction sites and road works, people are reminded to take extra precautions to stay safe.
Traffic management systems will be in place to keep vehicles and pedestrians out of work sites. Anyone ignoring cones or barriers and entering a work site may be at risk of injury. Please keep children away from these sites at all times.
Inconsiderate and dangerous parking around schools has been found to be a significant problem across the city, placing children and others at risk.
Parked vehicles can obstruct visibility, making it difficult for both children and drivers to see approaching traffic. As schools go back, the Council is asking all parents to consider the potential consequences of their parking choices.
Alternative modes of transport, such as walking, cycling, or scooting to school are a healthy way to incorporate daily physical activity, reduce congestion around schools, and improve local air quality.
All drivers are also reminded that they must stop when signalled to do so by a School Crossing Patrol displaying a stop sign.
It can be difficult to see children on the pavement, especially if cars park right next to the crossing location.
Children may run into the road without thinking about the traffic so when approaching a school, drivers should reduce their speed and be prepared to stop. School Crossing Patrols need to see and be seen.
Councillor Dan Barrington, Cabinet Member for Transport and Connectivity said: “The start of a new academic year is always an exciting time for families across Liverpool, and it’s always wonderful to see our young people gearing up for school.
“At the same time, we’re continuing to invest in Liverpool’s transport network through a number of major highways improvement projects that will make it easier and safer for people to travel around the city in the long term. As some journeys may be slightly different as this work progresses, we would encourage everyone to plan ahead, check their routes and allow a little extra time where needed.
“Whether you’re driving, walking, wheeling, cycling or using public transport, we all have a part to play in looking out for one another. As children return to classrooms, ensuring they can travel to and from school safely must remain our shared priority.”
