Pupils at Piper Hill Post-16 in Wythenshawe have started a petition to Manchester City Council, campaigning for a safe crossing outside their school so that they are able to cross the road.
The proposed signalised puffin crossing on Greenbrow Road will benefit the whole community, particularly students at Piper Hill Post 16 and Dixons Newall High School.
The students are hoping for 1000 signatures on their petition, and for the local community to rally round them to fight for this crossing to be installed.
Alex Chidlaw, teacher at Piper Hill School, says: “We need a safe place to cross the road when coming in and out of school. The crossing outside the post office is inadequate because if we cross there, then we have to cross two other busy roads.
“All of the students have worked really hard on this campaign and they deserve to share this with the community who can sign our petition too.”
To fund this campaign Piper Hill Post-16 have received money from Transport for Greater Manchester and from Greater Manchester Youth Network (GMYN) who have supported them via the I Will project.
Georgia Davenport, Programme Worker at GMYN, says: “We are so glad to be able to support Piper Hill Post 16 with their campaign, all the effort they have put in so far is amazing and we can’t wait to see where the campaign goes.”
GMYN supports young people aged 10-25 across Greater Manchester by offering innovative and exciting opportunities to build key skills and confidence. GMYN has supported Piper Hill Post-16 with media training and help with producing a vlog through the funding for this project.
The class that have created this campaign did a presentation to show the student council and visitors their work. They’ve also produced tote bags, fridge magnets, keyrings, and coasters as part of the campaign.
Speaking to some of the young people that have been leading this campaign, Tamzin said: “I’m glad I’ve taken part in the campaign because it’s important and I will be so happy if there is a crossing outside of our school, it will be safer for all the students that want to walk about.”
Briant said: “I like being part of this project, I helped to design the logo and I feel amazing about the posters. We all worked as a team and I was excited for our presentation to everyone.
Salim says: “I enjoyed speaking about the project, I was happy speaking to everyone and working hard.”
Kelly Leat, Active Travel Officer at Transport for Greater Manchester, says: “It’s been really great to work with the Travel Ambassadors from Piper Hill Post 16 as part of Transport for Greater Manchester’s Youth Travel Ambassador (YTA) programme.
“They’ve achieved so much this year already, from highlighting the barriers impacting their ability to travel actively and sustainably around their school, to successfully pitching their campaign for crossing at the YTA ‘Campaign Junction’ pitch event where they secured the funding to purchase their campaign promo packs. Their presenting and public speaking skills are going form strength to strength!
“I look forward to seeing the campaign progress and hope they are successful in making their local community a safer place to travel actively.”
To sign the petition to support the students of Piper Hill Post-16 with their campaign, please see here
