Key Points
- Effective Date & Location: Westend Street, outside The Ferns Primary School in Farnworth, will restrict driver access during peak drop-off and pick-up hours starting Monday, 14 September 2026.
- Operating Hours: Restrictions apply Monday to Friday during term time from 8:20am to 9:00am and 2:30pm to 3:15pm.
- Permit Exemptions: Residents, school staff, carers, deliveries, and emergency vehicles remain exempt. Residents and staff can obtain access passes from school reception.
- Safety & Environmental Goals: Jointly delivered by Bolton Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to improve air quality, cut congestion, and protect children during peak casualty hours (8:00am–9:00am and 3:00pm–7:00pm).
- Participating Schools: The Ferns Primary School joins Kearsley West Primary School, St. Bedes Academy, Sharples Primary School, and The Gates Primary School under Experimental Orders.
Farnworth (Bolton Today) August 12, 2026 – Driver access restrictions will be introduced on Westend Street outside The Ferns Primary School from Monday, 14 September 2026, aimed at creating safer routes for pupils during the busiest parts of the school day. As reported by Joe Regent of The Bolton News, the temporary traffic measures will restrict non-essential motor vehicles during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times.
What are the specific operating times and location details?
As reported by Joe Regent of The Bolton News, the restrictions will target Westend Street, situated off Plodder Lane in Farnworth. The traffic controls will operate Monday to Friday during term time between 8:20am and 9:00am, and again from 2:30pm to 3:15pm.
Who remains exempt from the Westend Street closure?
According to reporting by Joe Regent of The Bolton News, exemptions are in place to ensure essential local access is uninterrupted. Residents living on Westend Street, local workers, school staff, carers for disabled residents, and emergency service vehicles will retain access. Residents can collect physical Access Permits from the school reception, while staff and carers will receive designated passes.
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Why is Bolton Council introducing the School Streets scheme?
As reported by Joe Regent of The Bolton News, the project is managed by Bolton Council in partnership with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to encourage walking, cycling, and wheeling. Council data indicates that the majority of road collisions causing child casualties occur between 8:00am and 9:00am, and from 3:00pm to 7:00pm. The scheme seeks to mitigate these risks while simultaneously cutting road congestion and improving air quality outside school gates.
Which other schools in the area are included in the scheme?
As detailed by Joe Regent of The Bolton News, The Ferns Primary School is part of a select group of institutions implementing School Streets Experimental Orders. Other participating schools in the borough include:
- Kearsley West Primary School
- St. Bedes Academy
- Sharples Primary School
- The Gates Primary School
Bolton Council noted that funding limitations currently restrict the scheme to a small number of trial locations, though additional funding may enable further expansion across Greater Manchester.