Funding secured for innovative road safety project in Salford

Salford City Council has secured funding to deliver an interactive road safety initiative for schoolchildren this autumn, combining theatre performances with creative workshops.

The project, backed by Safer Roads Greater Manchester, supports the city’s commitment to Vision Zero by tackling areas identified as having disproportionately high levels of child road casualties, particularly pedestrian incidents.

Using data from its collision investigation team, the council pinpointed hotspot neighbourhoods and schools most affected, including East Salford; The Quays, Ordsall, Pendleton and Charlestown; Cadishead and Lower Irlam, Higher Irlam and Peel Green; and Eccles, Barton and Winton.

Up to 22 schools will be visited by The Riot Act, a theatre company that specialises in road safety education. Each visit will include a live performance highlighting key safety issues such as mobile phone use while walking, peer pressure, and awareness around e-scooters, bikes and vehicles. Workshops will then give pupils the chance to develop their own safety campaign ideas.

Winning groups from each school will receive £100 to fund their campaign, with the top 10 schools invited to a ‘Dragons’ Den’-style final. The overall winner will be crowned Salford Road Safety Champion 2025.

Councillor Mike McCusker, Lead Member for Planning, Transport and Sustainable Development, praised the initiative:“This is a fantastic project that will help highlight key issues around road safety for young people in Salford. We’re the only authority in Greater Manchester to secure this type of funding, and I’d encourage all eligible schools to take part. As we work towards becoming a Child Friendly City, projects like this will play an important role in making Salford a safer place for children and young people to grow up.”