Local Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani is campaigning for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to deliver School Streets – schemes to manage traffic around local schools – and give applications the priority they need in forthcoming funding bids.
An application to fund a scheme in Lees around Medlock Way was knocked back by the Labour-run GMCA, as they wanted to develop a Greater Manchester wide scheme, rather than put forward this proposal on its own. Sadly, when the funding agreement from the Government was put forward, School Street schemes were prioritised – meaning that the scheme almost certainly would have gone through.
Councillor Al-Hamdani said: “I understand the need to ensure that everyone can get access to a scheme such as this, but it is extremely frustrating that this has been refused, when it is causing so many problems for local residents. Putting the application forward would have meant that the GMCA had the experience of putting one of these schemes in – they would know what to expect. If anything, I would have thought it would benefit them to do a trial run first of all.
“Both the schools who would have been covered by the scheme have been working extremely hard with parents to try and improve the situation, but there is a limited amount that they can do on their own.
“This was an opportunity for them to get the support they need to make some real changes, and for the GMCA to miss this opportunity means that frustrations will continue for residents and for parents.”