Children to 'be safe, be seen'

Be Bright, Be Seen - Children should be dressed in bright fluorescent clothing during the day, and reflective items at night, to help other road users to see them

As the nights draw in, local school children are being told of the importance of being safe and seen on the borough’s highways.

Officers from Rochdale Borough Council’s Highways Casualty Reduction Team were supported by leading UK logistics provider Wincanton in a series of presentations to children at Newhey, Sacred Heart and St Peter’s primary schools which neighbour Kingsway Business Park. Wincanton also gave out 900 high visibility book bags to the children.

Wincanton is a supply chain partner to Asda, and is operating the supermarket’s new distribution depot on Kingsway Business Park, which has its official launch opening on 8 November. The depot is one of the largest of its kind in Europe and will bring more than 400 jobs to the area.

Working with the council to promote improved personal awareness and safety on the highways, Wincanton is set to sponsor all school crossing patrols across the borough.

Lynne Watson, General Manager at Wincanton’s Rochdale depot, said: “We have had a tremendous welcome from the community here in Rochdale and feel that we have a responsibility to raise awareness of the issue of road safety, especially at this time of year when the nights are drawing in.”

Lynne added: “Wincanton has an excellent record, but road safety is a two-way thing which is why we were delighted to be allowed to go to these primary schools to encourage children to stay safe and be seen on Rochdale’s streets.